Paradise Found
Nature in America at the Time of Discovery
Will be published approx. on 1. May 2009
Book
Hardback
536 pages
978-0-226-58340-2 (ISBN)
Description
The first Europeans to set foot on North America stood in awe of the natural abundance before them. The skies were filled with birds; the seas and rivers teemed with fish; and, the forests and grasslands were a hunter's dream. Fortunately for us, they left a legacy of copious records documenting what they saw, and these observations make it possible to craft a far more detailed evocation of North America before its settlement than any other place on the planet. Drawing on historical narrative and scientific inquiry, Steve Nicholls brings this spectacular environment back to life. But "Paradise Found" is much more than a celebration of what once was: it is also a reminder of how much we have lost along the way and an urgent call to action so future generations will be more responsible stewards of the world around them.
Reviews / Votes
"The abundance of nature was what made American independence possible in the first place; our present poverty on so many fronts is a consequence of our maltreatment of that nature. But the knowledge of what we have done, chronicled so carefully in this lucid book, may be the first step toward recovering that squandered wealth." (Washington Post) "Finely written and elegantly researched, Paradise Found is a chilling portent of how even today's richness will seem a cornucopia to biologically bereft future generations." (New Scientist) "One of the best books I have read in years.... Mr. Nicholls writes vividly... with wit and charm." (Washington Times) "Steve Nicholls, in this fine new book, makes an essential point: We should measure the damage to our natural heritage less by counting extinctions, and more by understanding that it is abundance itself that has been drained away.... This is a book worth owning." (Bill McKibben, Boston Globe) "A cornucopia overflowing with the abundance of nature long gone." (Nature)"More details
Language
English
Place of publication
Chicago
United States
Publishing group
The University of Chicago Press
Dimensions
Height: 24 mm
Width: 16 mm
Thickness: 4 mm
Weight
822 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-226-58340-2 (9780226583402)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
E-Book
08/2009
1st Edition
University of Chicago Press
€20.89
Available for download
Person
Steve Nicholls has traveled the United States, Canada, and the Caribbean shooting wildlife films for viewers in the United States and Europe, including Nature Tech, Alien Empire, Land of the Eagle, and Atlantic Realm. He has also been a producer for a number of series on PBS's Nature. He holds a PhD in entomology from the University of Bristol.