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The King's Harvest

A Political Ecology of China from the First Farmers to the First Empire
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( 21 ratings, 5 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
In The King's Harvest, Brian Lander explores the intricate systems and practices of agriculture in ancient China. The book sheds light on how farming shaped societal structures, influenced economic developments, and supported political regimes throughout Chinese history. It provides an in-depth analysis of how these agricultural systems contributed to the rise and fall of dynasties, weaving together themes of history and military strategy.
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Format: Hardback
$7199
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

If you're fascinated by ancient Chinese history and the relationship between humans and the environment, especially in terms of agriculture and sustainability, you may find this work intriguing. It delves into how ancient farming practices shaped China's geographical and political landscapes, offering insights for those interested in environmental history and cultural transformations.

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A multidisciplinary environmental history of early China’s political systems, featuring newly available Chinese archaeological data

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

A multidisciplinary environmental history of early China’s political systems, featuring newly available Chinese archaeological data

The King's Harvest is a multidisciplinary study of the ecology of China’s early political systems up to the fall of the first empire in 207 BCE. Brian Lander traces the transformation of lowland North China’s landscapes from diverse forests and steppes to farmland. He argues that the growth of states in ancient China, and elsewhere, was based on their ability to exploit the labour and resources of those who harnessed photosynthetic energy from domesticated plants and animals.

Focusing on the state of Qin, Lander synthesises abundant new scientific, archaeological, and excavated documentary sources to argue that the human domination of the Guanzhong region, and the rest of the planet, was based on the development of complex political structures that managed and expanded agroecosystems.

Series: Yale Agrarian Studies Series

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  • The King's Harvest
    A multidisciplinary environmental history of early China’s political systems, featuring newly available Chinese archaeological data The King's Harvest is a multidisciplinary study of the ecology of China’s early political systems up to the fall of the first empire in 207 BCE. Brian Lander traces the transformation of lowland North China’s landscapes from diverse forests and steppes to farmland. He argues...
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Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

The King’s Harvest by Brian Lander is praised for its profound exploration of the impact of agricultural practices on Chinese history and environment over millennia. Noted for its rigorous scholarship and engaging narrative, the book is considered a groundbreaking contribution to environmental history. It presents a compelling analysis of how ancient China's agricultural transformation led to environmental changes, linking past and present ecological challenges.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780300255089

Publisher: Yale University Press

Format: Hardback

Date Published: 25 January 2022

Country: United States

Imprint: Yale University Press

Illustration: 26 b-w illus.

Audience: General / adult, Professional and scholarly

DIMENSIONS

Width: 156.0mm

Height: 235.0mm

Weight: 250g

Pages: 320

About the Author

Brian Lander is assistant professor of history at Brown University and a fellow of the Institute at Brown for Environment and Society.

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