Something New Under the Sun: An Environmental History of the Twentieth-Century World

The history of the twentieth century is most often told through its world wars, the rise and fall of communism, or its economic upheavals. In his startling new book, J. R. McNeill gives us our first general account of what may prove to be the most significant dimension of the twentieth century: its environmental history. To a degree unprecedented in human history, we have refashioned the earth’s air, water, and soil, and the biosphere of which we are a part. Based on exhaustive research, McNeill’s story—a compelling blend of anecdotes, data, and shrewd analysis—never preaches: it is our definitive account. This is a volume in The Global Century Series (general editor, Paul Kennedy).

Contents

List of maps and tables
Foreword by Paul Kennedy
Acknowledgments
Preface

1. Prologue: Peculiarities of a Prodigal Century

PART ONE: THE MUSIC OF THE SPHERES
2. The Litosphere and Pedosphere: The Crust of the Earth
3. The Atmosphere: Urban History
4. The Atmosphere: Regional and Global History
5. The Hydrosphere: The History of Water Use and Water Pollution
6. The Hydrosphere: Depletions, Dams, and Diversions
7. The Biosphere: Eat and Be Eaten
8. The Biosphere: Forests, Fish, and Invasions

PART TWO: ENGINES OF CHANGE
9. More People, Bigger Cities
10. Fuels, Tools, and Economics
11. Ideas and Politics

12. Epilogue: So What?

Bibliography
Credits
Index