Alternative Agriculture: A History - From the Black Death to the Present Day (Hardcover)

We only imagine that 'alternative agriculture' is a new phenomenon because we are ignorant of our own history. As this fascinating account of British countryside shows, at least three phases of diversification from mainstream farming - the production of cereals and meat - can be documented before the present one: the first lasted from about 1350 to 1500 (into grass to graze sheep), the second from at least 1650 until 1750 (into rapeseed, wood and hops) and the third from 1879 to 1939 (into dairy farming and poultry keeping). (Kirkus UK)

It is possible to see the countryside around us changing as the search for an alternative agriculture becomes more urgent throughout Europe and America. However, this is not the first time that these changes have occurred: agriculture has, from time to time, undergone closely similar experiences since the mid-fourteenth century. In this study, Dr Thirsk illuminates the parallels between the circumstances surrounding agricultural developments in three other historical periods (1350-1500, 1650-1750, and 1879-1939), and explains why the same key factors are once again coming to prominence in today's society, and the consequences of acknowledging this recurrence. This work is not only a history of alternative agriculture, but also an alternative history of agriculture. Its fresh perspective and European context should alert readers to the necessity of ensuring that political change is not made in a historical vacuum, and offers valuable interpretations of the past as essential lessons for the present and the future. This book is intended for students of economic and social history, English agricultural history, and English historical geography; students of agriculture, environmental pl

General

Imprint:	Oxford UniversityPress
Country of origin:	United Kingdom
Release date:	October 1997
First published:	December 1997
Authors:	Joan Thirsk (former President)
Dimensions:	243 x 164 x 24mm (L x W x T)
Format:	Hardcover
Pages:	376
ISBN-13:	978-0-19-820662-0
Categories:	Books > Professional & Technical > Agriculture & farming > General Books > Humanities > History > History of specific subjects > Social & cultural history Books > Humanities > History > History of specific subjects > Economic history Books > Business & Economics > Industry & industrial studies > Primary industries > Agriculture & related industries Books > History > History of specific subjects > Economic history Books > History > History of specific subjects > Social & cultural history Promotions
LSN:	0-19-820662-3
Barcode:	9780198206620

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