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 up Earth's soil. Once bare of protective vegetation and exposed ...
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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 up Earth's soil. Once bare of protective vegetation and exposed to wind and rain, cultivated soils erode bit by bit, slowly enough to be ignored in a single lifetime but fast enough over centuries to limit the lifespan of civilizations. A rich mix of history, archaeology and geology, "Dirt" traces the role of soil use and abuse in the history of Mesopotamia, Ancient Greece, the Roman Empire, China, European colonialism, Central America, and the American push westward. We see how soil has shaped us and we have shaped soil - as society after society has risen, prospered, and plowed through a natural endowment of fertile dirt. David R. Montgomery sees in the recent rise of organic and no-till farming the hope for a new agricultural revolution that might help us avoid the fate of previous civilizations.
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Seller's Description:
Used-Good in Good jacket. Hardcover in good condition. Jacket has some rubbing, small tear to top spine. The book itself is closer to very good, the main flaw being a blacked out name on the endpage. Otherwise, pages are clean, free of writing.
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Seller's Description:
Fine in Fine jacket. University of California Press, 2007. 4th printing. A fine, crisp, clean copy. Signed by Montgomery on title page. 285pp. Dust jacket now in a new mylar cover. Hardcover. Fine/Fine. 8vo-8"-9" Tall.
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Seller's Description:
-1. Signed (inscribed) by author on title page. Text block, boards and binding are pristine. Dust wrapper in fine, like new condition. Well packaged and promptly shipped from California. Partnered with Friends of the Library since 2010.
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Seller's Description:
May have some shelf-wear due to normal use. Your purchase funds free job training and education in the greater Seattle area. Thank you for supporting Goodwill's nonprofit mission!
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Seller's Description:
Fine in Near Fine jacket. 8vo-over 7¾-9¾" tall A beautiful, crisp, clean hardcover in fine condition. DJ in near fine condition with faint edge wear, now in protective mylar cover.
