Conrad Totman Libri

In the OHIO UNIVERSITY PRESS SERIES IN ECOLOGY AND HISTORY, an examination of the causes, forms and effects of forest use and management in Japan since 1600.

The lush green mountainous archipelago of today supports a population of over 127 million people and one of the most advanced economies in the world. How has this come about? At what environmental cost? Conrad Totman, one of the world's foremost scholars on Japan, here provides a comprehensive and detailed account of the country's environmental history, from its beginnings to the present day. What makes the Japanese story particularly instructive is that the country's boundaries are uncommonly clear and the nature, timing, and extent of external influences on its history are unusually identifiable. The Japanese experience, therefore, not only yields important insights into the processes of environmental history, it offers important lessons for the wider environmental history of the planet.

This comprehensive history chronicles Japan's evolution from around 8000 BC to contemporary times, offering insights into its cultural, political, and social transformations. The new edition enhances the narrative with updated research and perspectives, making it an essential resource for understanding Japan's rich heritage and complex history.