An Ecological History of Modern China

Stevan Harrell is professor emeritus of anthropology and environmental and forest sciences at the University of Washington. His many books include Ways of Being Ethnic in Southwest China.

"An intellectually adventurous, wide-ranging, and boldly integrative study." (Foreign Affairs) "A marvelously accessible instant classic . . . Can knowledge of modern China's ecological history point us to new ways of envisioning and managing worldwide climate change? The answer would seem to be yes. Harrell's book offers the hope that comes with a robust knowledge of ecological history." (China Quarterly) "A wide-ranging, ambitious, deeply informed book of historical anthropology-an interdisciplinary exploration of the past that maintains a close eye on the present and the future as well. . . Harrell's writing is clear, colloquial, and even sometimes playful, which lightens what would otherwise be dense reading. With its many charts, diagrams, and footnotes, as well as extensive detail about all aspects of agriculture, water policy, urbanization, and industry in China since 1949, this is a terrific reference work as well as a book of historical narrative and analysis. The bilingual glossary of policies, terms, and slogans is its own reward for readers whose expertise lies outside of environmental politics in the People's Republic." (Journal of Chinese History) "[Stevan Harrell's] magnum opus." - Kaiser Kuo (Sinica Podcast) "The deployment of ecological tools in the analysis not only makes this work stand apart from other environmental histories but also breaks new ground for the study of China's history and ecological history more broadly. . . [T]he book reflects a lifetime of critical study, fieldwork, and scholarly thought from a seasoned anthropologist. It is an outstanding work on China and the environment that will shape debates for years to come" (Journal of Asian Studies) "A vivid and insightful history of modern China. . . Though this is a book rich in empirical detail, its greatest contribution is not the wealth of knowledge it imparts, but the conceptual models it offers to process this knowledge." (Modern China) "This book offers a valuable interpretation of China's miraculous rise through ecological history, establishing itself as an essential resource for students, scholars, and general readers interested in Chinese history, environmental studies, and sustainable development." (American Review of China Studies) "[A] valuable addition to the fields of environmental history and modern Chinese history. It serves as an excellent survey for scholars and researchers at all stages, as well as graduate and undergraduate students interested in the ecological and environmental history of modern China." (Environmental History)