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2 years ago in Comparative History , History Pedagogy By Rohan
Can anyone recommend accessible, seminal work on forests in early modern history suitable for an advanced undergraduate or graduate seminar?
I'm designing a new course on "Nature and Society in the Early Modern World." I need 4-5 core readings (book chapters or articles) that compellingly introduce students to the importance of forests. The selections should be engaging, illustrate clear historical methods, and be available in English (preferably through JSTOR or other common academic platforms). Topics could include deforestation debates, the political ecology of timber, or comparative colonial forestry.
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By Olusegun Akintola Answered 1 year ago
Keith Thomas, Man and the Natural World, Chapter 3 ("Trees and Flowers") – brilliant on changing perceptions.
Richard H. Grove, "Conserving Eden: The (European) East India Companies and their Environmental Policies on St. Helena, Mauritius, and in Western India" (article, Comparative Studies in Society and History) – perfect for colonial forestry.
Paul Warde, "Fear of Wood Shortage and the Reality of the Woodland in Europe, c.1450–1850" (article in History Workshop Journal) – excellent on the "wood shortage" debate.
Karl Appuhn, "Inventing Nature: Forests, Forestry, and State Power in Renaissance Venice" (The Journal of Modern History) – a great case study on state management.
A chapter from The Unending Frontier by John F. Richards (e.g., on Japan or the Caribbean) for global comparison.
All are available on JSTOR or through university presses, and each sparks discussion on sources, methodology, and historiography.
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