
Mobilizing Nature
The Environmental History of War and Militarization in Modern France
Chris Pearson(Author)
Manchester University Press
Published on 15. April 2015
Book
Paperback/Softback
320 pages
978-1-78499-373-3 (ISBN)
Description
Mobilizing nature traces the environmental history of war and militarization in France, from the creation of Chalons Camp in 1857 to military environmentalist policies in the twentieth century. It offers a fresh perspective on the well-known histories of the Franco-Prussian War, Western Front (1914-18), Second World War, Cold War and the anti-base campaign at Larzac, whilst uncovering the largely 'hidden' history of the numerous military bases and other installations that pepper the French countryside. Mobilizing nature argues that the history of war and militarization can only be fully understood if human and environmental histories are considered in tandem. Preparing for and conducting wars were only made possible through the active manipulation and mobilization of topographies, climatic conditions, vegetation and animals. But the military has not monopolized the mobilization of nature. Protesters against militarization have consistently drawn on images of peaceful and productive civilian environments as the preferable alternative to destructive tanks and bombs.
Written in an accessible style, Mobilizing nature will appeal to readers interested in modern France, environmental history, military geographies and histories, anti-military protests, and environmentalism. -- .
Written in an accessible style, Mobilizing nature will appeal to readers interested in modern France, environmental history, military geographies and histories, anti-military protests, and environmentalism. -- .
Reviews / Votes
In sum, Pearson lucidly weaves together the environmental and social legacy of relations between the French military and civilians, in wartime and peacetime. He does full justice to the role of the military in the complex and unpredictable flow of French history., Richard P. Tucker, Comparative Studies in Society and History, Reviews, 2014 -- .More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
Manchester
United Kingdom
Target group
College/higher education
Professional and scholarly
Illustrations
Illustrations, black & white
Dimensions
Height: 216 mm
Width: 140 mm
Thickness: 21 mm
Weight
497 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-78499-373-3 (9781784993733)
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
10/2017
1st Edition
Manchester University Press
from
€40.99
Available for download
Person
Chris Pearson is Lecturer in Twentieth-Century History at the University of Liverpool -- .
Content
Introduction
1 The Emperor's new camp (1857-70)
2 Militarized environments during the "terrible year" (1870-71)
3 Remaking militarized environments in the wake of defeat (1871-1914)
4 The 'mangled earth' of the trenches (1914-18)
5 Demilitarization and militarization (1918-40)
6 Occupied territories (1940-67)
7 'A (very) large military camp': The militarization of postwar France
8 Opposing militarized environments
9 "Greening" militarized environments
Epilogue
Select bibliography
Index -- .
1 The Emperor's new camp (1857-70)
2 Militarized environments during the "terrible year" (1870-71)
3 Remaking militarized environments in the wake of defeat (1871-1914)
4 The 'mangled earth' of the trenches (1914-18)
5 Demilitarization and militarization (1918-40)
6 Occupied territories (1940-67)
7 'A (very) large military camp': The militarization of postwar France
8 Opposing militarized environments
9 "Greening" militarized environments
Epilogue
Select bibliography
Index -- .