Joachim Radkau Book order

This book is the first major study of the history of environmentalism, from its origins in romanticism and the nature cults of the late 18th century to the global environmental movements of today. Radkau shows that this is not a single story of the steady ascent of environmentalism but rather a multiplicity of stories, each with its own dramatic tension: between single-issue movements and the challenges posed by the interconnection of environmental issues, between charismatic leaders and bureaucratic organizations, and between grassroot movements and global players. While the history can be traced back several centuries, environmentalism has flourished since the ‘environmental revolution’ of 1970, spurred on by the Chernobyl nuclear disaster in 1986 and the growing concern about global warming. While environmentalists often opposed the scientific mainstream, they were also often led by scientific knowledge. Environmentalism is the true Enlightenment of our time Ð so much so that we can call our era ‘the age of ecology’. This timely and comprehensive global history of environmentalism will be essential reading for anyone concerned with the most pressing global issues of our time.

Ötzi the iceman relied on wood while climbing his Alpine glacier, just as medieval cathedral-builders and today’s construction companies do. The human hand has developed its skills through working with wood, making it a fundamental aspect of human history. In the 18th century, fears of a wood famine ignited modern environmentalism. This work explores the cultural history of wood, revealing its deep connection with humanity. It argues that wood is essential for understanding history, cultural diversity, and the interplay between nature and culture, as well as the rise and fall of civilizations. Beginning with Stone Age hunters, the narrative traverses through the Middle Ages and the Industrial Revolution to the global society of the 21st century, where wood is experiencing a surprising renaissance. The author challenges claims of an impending wood shortage, suggesting they are often self-serving narratives pushed by interest groups seeking cheaper access to resources. The forest and timber industry may seem like a closed world, but this exploration reveals unexpected insights. This comprehensive and engaging historical analysis of wood, one of our most valued natural resources, is poised to attract a diverse readership.

Radkau brings out, in a way that no one has ever done before, the intimate interrelations between Weber's thought and his life experience. He presents detailed revelations about the great enigmas of Weber's life: his suffering and erotic experiences, his fears and his desires, his creative power and his methods of work as well as his religious experience and his relation to nature and to death. --from publisher description

Environmental history, the author argues, is ultimately the history of human hopes and fears.