34 pages 1 hour read

William Cronon

Changes in the Land: Indians, Colonists, and the Ecology of New England

Nonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 1983

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Before You Read

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Super Short Summary

In Changes in the Land, William Cronon provides a scholarly assessment of the ecological changes in New England from 1620 to 1800 due to European settlers, examining Native American and European land usage, including farming, hunting, and commercial activities, and revealing contrasting land use notions and economic values, ultimately tracing how these interactions brought significant ecological transformations to the region.

Reviews & Readership

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Review Roundup

William Cronon's Changes in the Land is widely praised for its insightful analysis of how colonialism transformed New England's ecology. Reviewers commend its interdisciplinary approach and detailed historical research, offering a nuanced perspective on human-environment interactions. Criticisms mainly focus on dense terminology, which may challenge some readers. Overall, a thought-provoking, well-researched work.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Changes in the Land?

A reader who enjoys Changes in the Land by William Cronon is typically interested in environmental history, Native American studies, and colonial American history. This book appeals to those who appreciate the analytical depth of works like Jared Diamond's Guns, Germs, and Steel or Charles Mann's 1491.

RecommendedReading Age

18+years

Lexile Level

1390L

Book Details

Topics

History: U.S.

Education

Anthropology

Period

Colonial America

Genre

Education

Anthropology

Themes

Natural World: Environment