Book dossier

History and climate change

by Neville Brown

"History and Climate Change is an overview of the links between climate and man's advance from early to modern times. It draws upon demographic, economic, urban, religious and military perspectives. It is a synthesis of the many historical and scientific theories which have arisen regarding man's progress through the ages." "Central to the book is the question of whether climate variation is a fundamental trigger mechanism from which other historical sequences develop, or one amongst a number of other factors, decisive only when a regime/society is poised for change. Evidence for irreversible climate change is either partial or lacking entirely, but it is clear that climatic variation has regularly played a part in historical development. Particular attention is here paid to Europe since AD 211." "Does climate change exacerbate famine and epidemics? Did climate fluctuation play a part in pivotal historical events such as the mass exodus of the Hsiung-nu from China, the pressure of the Huns on the Romans and the genesis of the Crusades. Did the bitter Finnish winter of 1939-40 ensure the ultimate defeat of Hitler? These events and many others are discussed throughout in the author's distinctive style, with maps and photographs to illustrate the examples given."--Jacket.