The Republic of Nature: An Environmental History of the United States

De: Mark Fiege

Narrado por: William Bahl

In the dramatic narratives that comprise The Republic of Nature, Mark Fiege reframes the canonical account of American history based on the simple but radical premise that nothing in the nation's past can be considered apart from the natural circumstances in which it occurred. Revisiting historical icons so familiar that schoolchildren learn to take them for granted, he makes surprising connections that enable readers to see old stories in a new light.

Among the historical moments revisited here, a revolutionary nation arises from its environment and struggles to reconcile the diversity of its people with the claim that nature is the source of liberty. Abraham Lincoln, an unlettered citizen from the countryside, steers the Union through a moment of extreme peril, guided by his clear-eyed vision of nature's capacity for improvement. In Topeka, Kansas, transformations of land and life prompt a lawsuit that culminates in the momentous civil rights case of Brown v. Board of Education.

By focusing on materials and processes intrinsic to all things and by highlighting the nature of the United States, Fiege recovers the forgotten and overlooked ground on which so much history has unfolded.

The book is published by University of Washington Press.

©2012 University of Washington Press (P)2018 Redwood Audiobooks

Reseñas de la Crítica

"Extraordinary: beautifully written, ambitious in its arguments, and impressive in scope and scholarship. . . a compelling and ambitious study of American history." (Journal of American History)

"Will undoubtedly leave an imprint on the field of environmental history and beyond." (Northwest Quarterly)

"Is an incredibly ambitious and completely unprecedented book… The intended audience is wide, and this book invites the broadest consideration and debate." (Isis)

an eye opener

Bought this audiobook for my class and was an eye opener. Great listen/read for anyone interested in natural history. I liked it so much!

Author's enthusiasm is contagious in a good way.

I'm not a scientist. I simply Love nature. This course vastly increased my knowledge and deepened my appreciation. The author's enthusiasm is contagious in a good way. It's truly a 'Great Audio Version.'

Reference that is essential companion for students

This reference is an essential companion for students interested in the ongoing transformation of UnitedStates landscape and the conflicts over its resources and conservation. It makes rich use of the tools and resources (climatic and geological data, court records, archaeological digs, and the writings of naturalists) that environmental historians rely on to conduct their research. This book is a must have for both students and teachers. I highly recommend this book.

Very well constructed

Very well constructed history and discussion of Environmental history relative to the American experience. Both enjoyable and informative, a very worthwhile audiobook for anyone who wishes to understand the historical contexts for the current understandings of the environment of the United States.

A new refreshing perspective

A new refreshing perspective. This was the text for a class, but I read the whole book from start to finish. Loved it. It will help me present old material in a new light to my students.

Humanity’s Freedom

The Republic of Nature compellingly demonstrates the value of applying environmental perspective to historical events.
I just beloved by the word of this book “humanity’s freedom to think and act inevitably encounters the limits that nature imposes.” Which is told by the author of this audible Mar Fiege and this word is from his fresh view,

QUITE INFORMATIVE

This audiobook 'The Republic of Nature: An Environmental History of the United States by Mark Fiege' is a thought-provoking and quite informative. It has proven to be the perfect educational opportunity for people who's into the history of the United States.

I highly recommend/suggest this book for anyone who has even a casual interest in history especially in the Environmental History of United States.

Struggle between human and plant

I just marked for instance, Fiege’s argument about the nature of slavery – namely that the driving force behind the institution was the marriage of plants and people – forced this particular listener (who considers herself at least somewhat familiar with American slavery) to rethink my understanding of the peculiar institution. Instead of a capitalist society in which commodification of the enslaved human body constituted the prime motivations of the master, Fiege recasts this familiar story as a power struggle between human and plant in which masters often failed to control the plant and thus transferred that loss of power to their slaves by more tightly controlling their lives and the productive abilities of their bodies.

Beautiful

Not only well written, but in-depth background and understanding of the environmental history of United States.
I am amazed with the information herein, the beautiful history of America and the diversity of its people with the claim that nature is the source of liberty. I highly recommend this book.

wonderful book, full of extraordinary details

This is a wonderful book, full of extraordinary details about environmental history of United States. A great book with a different perspective, got a lot of new information and sense of place in US history. Truly a great history book, I love the narrators' voice it's very soft and calm.