The Environment

Gr 9 Up—This latest entry in the publisher's series examines political, cultural, and scientific thoughts and beliefs regarding environmental concerns in what is now the United States. This is an exemplary text for debaters, history and science researchers, and current and aspiring activists. Each of the 28 chapters provides a cogent contextual essay before analyzing a different primary source. Black-and-white photos throughout include images of the reproduced documents, including the handwritten 17th-century "Land Use and Timber Regulations of Pennsylvania" and the first cover of Henry David Thoreau's Walden. The print is large and the layout well organized so readers can sink into any chapter, right through the 2017 environmental protections rollbacks of President Trump. Back matter provides further context with a time line and a glossary. The sheer size of the book, however, is problematic; its binding cannot withstand much in the way of handling, and its weight appears daunting and proves hard to handle, though a QR code on its back cover promises access to an online version.