Dirt: The Erosion of Civilizations

by David R. Montgomery

Book Overview

Dirt, soil, call it what you want--it's everywhere we go. It is the root of our existence, supporting our feet, our farms, our cities. This fascinating yet disquieting book finds, however, that we are running out of dirt, and it's no laughing matter. An engaging natural and cultural history of soil that sweeps from ancient civilizations to modern times, Dirt: The Erosion of Civilizations explores the compelling idea that we are--and have long been--using...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0520272900
• ISBN13: 9780520272903
• Release Date: April 2012
• Publisher: University of California Press
• Length: 296 Pages
• Weight: 1.14 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 6.0" x 8.9"

Customer Reviews

Most Important Resource on Earth

Without soil the whole of humanity would perish. Everything on which life depends come from soil. This book is a wakeup call. Basic greed seems to put blinkers on humanity to not learn from past civilizations who have wasted soil-let it erode away -and also pushed themselves into oblivian. Are we going to do the same to ourselves? A few years of drought or floods in these times of eratic weather will leave our supermarket shelves empty. Sadly we already have poor quality foods in supermarkets because of less than well-cared for soils. Soil is so basic to life that it should be taught in Basic Life Skills courses in schools. Everyone should have an understanding of soil. Bravo Mr. Montgomery for your very extensive research and sharing it with us.

A Fascinating and Rich Synthesis of Ideas

Just finished this book, and it's a 'must have'. A masterly synthesis of ideas! If you have a background in any ONE of agriculture, soil science, history, geology, anthropology, geopolitics, or public policy, this book may well 'keep you up at night'. I found certain passages so exciting I had to read them aloud to others. He covers a broad swath of history, from dozens of millenia ago, up the present day. Montgomery snaps his prose into sharp temporal detail when necessary, and pulls back focus to general scientific principles as needed to illustrate points. I actually learned things about the Civil War which deeply enlightened and informed the military and economic and social information I already had. Heck, I learned things about tobacco and cotton I didn't know! I grateful that despite the fact that he touches on all manner of 'hot button' issues -- on climate change, genetically-modified organisms, government programs, slavery, and public policy, he is never polemical, never preachy. Any of these topics could have easily turned into a polarizing 'rant' and diluted the fine scientific tone of his work, but he steers far, far clear, presenting facts, context, references and a flow of events all in an extremely readable, almost conversational tone. If you are interested in any aspect of food, history, culture, public policy, agriculture, or geomorphology, I recommend this book very very highly indeed. I truly hope you read it and if you enjoy it even one-tenth as much as I did, you'll be glad you did!

one of the best reads going

as an anthro/archaeology major (albeit years ago), history buff, lover of geology/mother earth and tree whisperer, words fail me to adequately express the impact this small book had on me and a small cohort of friends. it is far more than a wakeup call; it is a call to learn from our collective past and take responsibility for our actions so as to safeguard the future of our children and generations to come. read it; recommend it; give it as a present; make a plan and take action if not now, when? if not us, who?

Essential reading

This should be essential reading for any resource planner, all levels of elected policy makers and anyone that has read Jared Diamond, i. e. Collapse: How Societies Choose to Fail or Succeed

The demise of soil

Policy makers at all levels as well as concerned citizens should take Dave's lessons to heart. In addition, this is THE book for the layman wondering anything about dirt's role in human history and its fate. With unrelenting precision, Dave builds the case-by-case history of civilizations misusing the dirt to their ultimate misfortune. As a top-flight scientist and admirable philosopher, he lays bare the storyline of people first using dirt modestly, then disturbing and losing their topsoil in dozens of cases spanning the globe and ranging from pre-history to the present. The progression of dirt degradation becomes very familiar by the end - one wonders how many more times and on what grand scale the failures will again become apparent. A caveat - Dave is a colleague of mine, as well as an entertaining pop-folk guitar, who leads with guitar and vocals the local band "Big Dirt".