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This is an extraordinary book, described by others as ‘ambitious’ and ‘magnificent’. It essentially tells the story of how the mark of mankind has shaped the landscape we now live in from the retreat of the ice and severing of the land bridge to continental Europe through distinctly differing epochs up to current times. 

For anyone interested in the ‘physical’ history of our island (as I am) this is a treasure house of information, both in its scope and in its detail. The social forces that created barrows, henges and other major earthworks at the dawn of The human occupation of Britain are described in their distinct periods and in the context of their differing social backgrounds and functions. Sometimes speculative, but always well researched the writing is as compelling as a good novel, leading the reader on from the earliest times, through the brief Roman era, on to the dark age decline and then the revival of feudalism. 

Continue reading The Making of the British Landscape

This book has a strong presence on the shelf and I was persuaded to buy it in advance of other reading I still have to do. I was particularly attracted by the fact that both the authors were part of the team that delivered the Paris Accord in 2016 and therefore I thought that they must be coming from a position of authority and experience. 

Continue reading The Future We Choose

The Deep Ecology Movement, An Introductory Anthology

Published in 1995, this anthology provides a very good comprehensive overview reference to the many facets of the Deep Ecology movement. The introduction by authors Alan Drengson and Yuichi Inoue provides a good synopsis of the main tenets, sources and issues that define the Deep Ecology movement. Following chapters start with the seminal papers of Arne Naess who coined the term ‘Deep Ecology’ and set out a formal philosophical framework encompassing the ecological principles that stem from the distinction between ecocentrism and anthropocentrism–deep ecology and conservation ecology. The book then broadens the subject with contributions from other Deep Ecology luminaries including Gary Snyder, Bill Devall and Warwick Fox. Continue reading Deep Ecology principles explained

In inimitable fashion, Jerry Mander attacks the principals, structure and operations of Capitalism without mercy. It is a convincing critique from a declared non Socialist or Marxist. Mander takes apart the fundamental drivers of the Capitalist system: the need for unending growth and the implicit faith in GDP as a measure of economic success, but he also lays bare the infiltration of the amoral giant national or international Corporation (the cornerstone of the capitalist economy) into all sectors of the supply of material goods and services. The single objective of creating wealth for shareholders, he believes, is held above all other values and motives. Continue reading Jerry Mander hits out at a 200 year old system!

Drawing together two seemingly disparate strands, Jerry Mander produces a potent critique of North American culture. His scrutiny of industrial technology is compelling, drawing out the downside of even the technologies we might believe are personally liberating: television, the computer and the corporation are all exposed as a combined force to homogenise our personalities, our lives and the environment. The relevance of the title “In the absence of the sacred” becomes clear when he turns to the plight of the American Indian. Continue reading Published 25 years ago this book remains fresh and relevant!