The Earth As Modified By Human Action

Weyerhaeuser Environmental Classics

by George Perkins Marsh

There can be no doubt that moisture is given, out by trees and evaporated in extremely cold winter weather, and unless new fluid were supplied from the roots by the exercise of some vital function, the tree would be exhausted of its juices before winter was over. But this is not observed to be the fact, and, though the point is disputed, respectable authorities declare that "wood felled in the depth of winter is the heaviest and fullest of sap."

Genres: Sustainability

Paperback

First published January 1, 1864

About the author

George Perkins Marsh was an American diplomat and philologist and is considered by some to be America's first environmentalist and the precursor to the sustainability concept, although "conservationist" would be more accurate.

Reviews

[Faye · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted to read George Perkins Marsh's, a famous Vermonter, most well-known book as it is considered to have been a significant contribution to the conservation movement. He documents the destruction of several environments but believe mankind could restore them. Marsh promoted management of nature and did not consider the human species to be part of the natural world.