Dirt
The Erosion of Civilizations
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Dirt
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Narrated by:
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Tim Lundeen
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Written by:
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David R. Montgomery
About this listen
Dirt, soil, call it what you want, it's everywhere we go. It is the root of our existence, supporting our feet, our farms, our cities. This fascinating yet disquieting audiobook finds, however, that we are running out of dirt, and it's no laughing matter. An engaging natural and cultural history of soil that sweeps from ancient civilizations to modern times, Dirt: The Erosion of Civilizations explores the compelling idea that we are, and have long been, using up Earth's soil. Once bare of protective vegetation and exposed to wind and rain, cultivated soils erode bit by bit, slowly enough to be ignored in a single lifetime but fast enough over centuries to limit the lifespan of civilizations.
A rich mix of history, archaeology and geology, Dirt traces the role of soil use and abuse in the history of Mesopotamia, Ancient Greece, the Roman Empire, China, European colonialism, Central America, and the American push westward. We see how soil has shaped us and we have shaped soil as society after society has risen, prospered, and plowed through a natural endowment of fertile dirt. David R. Montgomery sees in the recent rise of organic and no-till farming the hope for a new agricultural revolution that might help us avoid the fate of previous civilizations.
Produced and published by Echo Point Books & Media, an independent bookseller in Brattleboro, Vermont.
©2012 David R. Montgomery (P)2024 Echo Point Books & Media, LLCWhat listeners say about Dirt
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story3 out of 5 stars
- Ian
- 2022-03-11
Dense and factual
It was a lot of information. I’m not sure what I learned. I don’t remember much of it. Maybe good for an academic study but not for enjoyment.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Gfol70
- 2023-01-17
Fantastic
This is an absolutely amazing book and sheds new and startling light on the possible futures of agriculture and civilization. Providing a detailed and illuminating account of humankind’s relationship with soil, our modest successes and overwhelming failures in advancing agriculture, this book is a call to all to consider the vital role soil plays in our collective futures and the critical choices we are will be facing in the years to come.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- alex murray
- 2022-04-14
neccessary information for land stewards
loved it. will reference for years to come. well researched, and compiled information to reflect on the past and learn from.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story3 out of 5 stars
- Jeff
- 2019-09-03
good stuff to learn this was a good book
learnt lots cant wait to have the best soil in csnada u just wait and see humble farmers baby
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance3 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Nolan
- 2019-08-10
A MUST LISTEN FOR ALL CONCERNED ABOUT ENVIRONMENT
this book was absolutely amazing. very scientific, well researched, and holistically approached. there is history, archaeology, modern science all wrapped up into a very convincing argument that will be hard to ignore once you hear it. absolutely loved it!!!
I have a complaint though, the reader is quite monotone, and at times there was a high pitched squeak maybe from a poor microphone or something (barely audible, but just enough to be annoying). they should really have it re recorded because this book is too important to not be easily accessible.
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