Guano and the Opening of the Pacific World
A Global Ecological History

This book traces the history of bird guano, demonstrating how this unique commodity helped unite the Pacific Basin with the industrialized world.

Gregory T. Cushman (Author)

9781107655966, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 2 January 2014

416 pages, 16 b/w illus. 4 maps
22.8 x 15.3 x 2.5 cm, 0.5 kg

'This is as much an environmental history, as it is the history of environmental thought in the Pacific basin. Cushman is an excellent writer, bringing in a variety of perspectives, from scientists, environmental evangelists, politicians, economists and commodity traders, as well as island populations and bird-watchers, going so far as to imagine the perspective of the guano-producing birds themselves. In the hands of a less-talented writer this might have become quite confusing, but instead the persona (and animal) perspectives help anchor and reinforce the tight knit of humankind's relationship with its environment.' Juliette Levy, EH.net

For centuries, bird guano has played a pivotal role in the agricultural and economic development of Latin America, East Asia and Oceania. As their populations ballooned during the Industrial Revolution, North American and European powers came to depend on this unique resource as well, helping them meet their ever-increasing farming needs. This book explores how the production and commodification of guano has shaped the modern Pacific Basin and the world's relationship to the region. Marrying traditional methods of historical analysis with a broad interdisciplinary approach, Gregory T. Cushman casts this once little-known commodity as an engine of Western industrialization, offering new insight into uniquely modern developments such as environmental consciousness and conservation movements; the ascendance of science, technology and expertise; international relations; and world war.

List of illustrations
Preface
Abbreviations and acronyms
Prologue
1. Introduction
2. The guano age
3. Neo-ecological imperialism
4. Where is Banaba?
5. Conservation and the technocratic ideal
6. The most valuable birds in the world
7. When the Japanese came to dinner
8. The road to survival
9. Guano and the Blue Revolution
10. Conclusion
Select bibliography
Index.

Subject Areas: Environmental economics [KCN], History of the Americas [HBJK], General & world history [HBG], History [HB]