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A Foundational Conservation Story Revived

Ancient writers observed that forests always recede as civilizations develop and grow. The great Roman poet Ovid wrote that before civilization began, "even the pine tree stood on its own very hills" but when civilization... Read Full Overview

One of the most important environmental issues facing our planet is the destruction of the world's forests. The problems associated with deforestation include depletion of firewood supplies, severe flooding, accelerated loss of soil and declining soil productivity. All of us... Read Full Overview

The book's comprehensive coverage of the major role forests have played in human life--told with grace, fluency, imagination, and humor--gained it recognition as a Harvard Classic in Science and World History and as one of Harvard's "One-Hundred Great Books." Others receiving... Read Full Overview

Chronicles the destruction of the world's forests as a result of overdependency on wood as a building and energy source, and points out the resultant declining soil productivity, flooding, and depletion of firewood supplies.