Refreshingly unpolemical and at times even witty; McNeill's book brims with carefully sifted statistics and brilliant details.―Washington Post Book World The history of the twentieth century is most often told through its world wars; the rise and fall of communism; or its economic upheavals. In his startling new book; J. R. McNeill gives us our first general account of what may prove to be the most significant dimension of the twentieth century: its environmental history. To a degree unprecedented in human history; we have refashioned the earth's air; water; and soil; and the biosphere of which we are a part. Based on exhaustive research; McNeill's story―a compelling blend of anecdotes; data; and shrewd analysis―never preaches: it is our definitive account. This is a volume in The Global Century Series (general editor; Paul Kennedy). 40 b/w photographs; 15 maps
#892248 in Books Joy Day Buel 1995-04-17 1995-04-17Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.20 x .90 x 5.50l; .60 #File Name: 0393312100310 pagesThe way of duty
Review
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. A Candid View of the American RevolutionBy Jessie SA particular contribution of this volume is that it lays out the domestic side of the American Revolutionary War and post-war period for families as well as for returning combatants. It is not often that women are as prominent in history books as Mary Silliman is here. That she wrote letters that were kept as well as extensive diaries has permitted us to view what it was like to live on fought-over land throughout the war. The picture is not the romantic; pretty picture of the American Revolution that I studied in a high school history class in the 1950s. Not only was domestic life hard during this period; but many jurisdictions did not treat their soldiers well either. This well-sourced and well-written biography provides convincing detail of what war does to the human spirit; demonstrates that taken-for-granted moral principles of honesty may actually be provisional. Some fairly shocking events revealed here. This is not your dried and purified view of history. It's lively; disturbing; and also fascinating.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Essential read for the family historian with early Connecticut genealogy!By Long term customerI enjoyed it greatly; and even more so after finding the subject and her family on my own family tree as distant cousins The book provides a lot of details about the daily lives of our pre -Revolutionary War forbearers; especially the women. In particular; I enjoyed the religious controversies evoked by the Great Awakening as experienced by Mary's father. Super book!0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. An American PatriotBy D. SwayneShe was a woman of integrity and courage. She fought the war of survival and won the freedom of her husband form British captivity. She sewed no flags; fed no canons and was no ones mistress. She was a mother; a wife and the reason American independence was won. Well written historical narrative; very interesting and well researched.
