Wild Words Newsletter
Get monthly recommendation on all the latest nature writing, heritage and conservation related reads available at Sherlock & Pages
Currency
Guaranteed safe and secure checkout
Sunil Amrith's 'The Burning Earth' has been hailed as the most accessible global environmental history to date. J.R. McNeill describes it as 'a monumental achievement and a pleasure to read', whilst Jill Lepore lauds it as 'both essential and stunning, as awe-inspiring as it is heart-rending'.
This groundbreaking work offers a comprehensive view of human impact on the planet over the past half-millennium. Amrith masterfully intertwines tales of environmental change with those of imperial expansion, linking ecological devastation with human atrocities. Drawing from an impressive array of primary sources, he examines the far-reaching consequences of resource exploitation, from Portuguese silver mining in Peru to British gold extraction in South Africa and oil drilling in Central Asia.
The author delves into the role of infrastructure development in reshaping landscapes and facilitating human incursion into new territories. His innovative perspective on the World Wars presents them as catalysts for irreversible planetary transformation, involving not just human mobilisation but also the exploitation of global natural resources. Amrith also sheds light on environmental degradation as a driving force behind human migration.
This epic narrative illustrates how the relentless pursuit of profit, coupled with technological advancements and the quest for improved living standards, has left an indelible mark on every corner of the Earth. Through vivid storytelling and rich imagery, Amrith presents a thought-provoking chronicle that challenges readers to consider the collective wisdom needed for humanity's survival.
Sven Beckert, author of 'Empire of Cotton', describes the book as 'A poignant reflection on how the pursuit of freedom from nature has undermined the very conditions for life on Earth. Beautifully written, Amrith's global and long-term perspective is crucial for understanding our current environmental predicaments.' Rob Nixon, author of 'Slow Violence and the Environmentalism of the Poor', adds that it is 'Unforgettable and captivating. Sunil Amrith has gifted us a page-turner, written with passionate clarity.'
Book ISBN: | 9780241461983 |
Book Author: | Sunil Amrith |
Book Format: | Hardback |
Book Imprint: | Allen Lane |
Book Publisher: | Penguin Books Ltd |
Book Dimensions: | 165 x 243 x 38 cm |
Book Publication Date: | 2024-09-26 |
Book Pagination: | 432 pages |
Book Weight: | 652g |
Sherlock & Pages is a little bookshop with a big heart. We are based in Frome, Somerset, England and curate lists of books in the areas we are passionate about – landscape, nature, history, and heritage. In short, the conservation of all we’ve inherited and all we are responsible to pass on. We aim to inspire and be inspired, to form a literary culture of care and passion about this precious planet we call home.
This is a shop where you might find something you haven’t seen before, and we like to think we’ve got something for everyone. We choose each of our books with care and for a reason. This is because our physical store is small but beautifully formed, holding only around 1200 titles at any one time. We try and recreate the feel of the shop wherever we are online, to reflect our niche categories and personality.
We have an active social media presence and aim to share our story with all our friends. The long-term goal is to build a hub for the books and writers we believe in. Who knows where our adventure will lead but by supporting Sherlock & Pages you’re helping us to add a further layer of magic to our little corner of the world. If you haven’t visited our physical store, one day you might just make a literary pilgrimage down to Somerset.
Our tagline is ‘Long Live the Hedgerows’ and our symbol a hibernating dormouse. If you want to support an independent with a unique character and which will share stories with you for years to come, then choose Sherlock & Pages. The world needs bookshops with soul, for they are ‘citadels of light.’