A Green History of the World [rare books] by Clive Ponting

Book Summary

Ponting’s narrative spans from the earliest human societies to the modern industrial era, highlighting key transitions such as the shift from hunter-gatherer lifestyles to settled agricultural communities. He argues that the development of agriculture marked the beginning of systematic environmental transformation, leading to increased pressure on land and resources. As populations grew and societies expanded, the burden on the environment intensified, often resulting in ecological degradation.

About the Author

Clive Ponting (19462020) was a British historian and civil servant renowned for his critical analyses of historical events and their environmental implications. Born in Bristol, England, Ponting served as a senior official in the UK’s Ministry of Defence. In 1984, he leaked documents revealing that government statements about the sinking of the Argentine warship General Belgrano during the Falklands War were misleading. Charged under the Official Secrets Act, he was acquitted by a jury, a case that highlighted the tension between state secrecy and public interest. Ponting resigned from the civil service in 1985 .