Reviews for Alfred W. Crosby's Ecological Imperialism praise its innovative examination of how Europeans reshaped new worlds through ecological means. Critics commend Crosby's interdisciplinary approach and rich historical detail. Some find the narrative dense and occasionally Eurocentric. Overall, it is considered a seminal, though sometimes challenging, work in environmental history.

Readers who appreciate Jared Diamond’s Guns, Germs, and Steel or Charles C. Mann’s 1491 will be captivated by Crosby's Ecological Imperialism. Ideal for those interested in environmental history, ecological impacts of colonization, and interdisciplinary analyses involving history, biology, and geography.

Ecological Imperialism: The Biological Expansion of Europe, 900-1900 by Alfred W. Crosby explores how European colonialism extended beyond just the migration of people to the widespread transformation of ecosystems through the introduction of European plants, animals, and microorganisms. The book discusses the historical context of European expansion, the development of seafaring technology, and the establishment of Neo-Europes, focusing on the role of ecological factors in colonial success, with a detailed case study of New Zealand. Military violence and exploitation of indigenous populations appear in the book.

Informative / Mysterious / Challenging / Contemplative / Unnerving

- Alfred W. Crosby's concept of "ecological imperialism" describes how European settlers were able to successfully colonize foreign lands, partly due to the biological advantages introduced by animals, plants, and diseases.
- Ecological Imperialism introduces the idea that the success of European conquests was largely influenced by the ecological and biological elements they brought along, reshaping ecosystems in colonized regions.
- Crosby’s work has been influential in the field of environmental history, encouraging scholars to consider ecological factors as crucial elements in historical narratives of imperialism and colonization.

Alfred W. Crosby

Adult

Book

Studies in Environment and History

Nonfiction

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Background

Ecological Imperialism Background

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Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Prologue-Chapter 4

Ecological Imperialism Prologue-Chapter 4 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 5-6

Ecological Imperialism Chapters 5-6 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 7-9

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Chapters 10-12

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Key Figures

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Themes

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Index of Terms

Ecological Imperialism Index of Terms

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Important Quotes

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Essay Topics

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Ecological Imperialism: The Biological Expansion of Europe, 900-1900

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