Slide Mountain: Or, the Folly of Owning Nature

by Ted Steinberg

Book Overview

The drive to own the natural world in twentieth-century America seems virtually limitless. Signs of this national penchant for possessing nature are everywhere--from suburban picket fences to elaborate schemes to own underground water, clouds, even the ocean floor.

Yet, as Theodore Steinberg demonstrates in this compelling, witty look at Americans' attempts to master the environment, nature continually turns these efforts into folly. In a rich,...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0520207092
• ISBN13: 9780520207097
• Release Date: November 1996
• Publisher: University of California Press
• Length: 224 Pages
• Weight: 0.45 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 5.5" x 8.3"

Customer Reviews

Absurd tales relevant to today's environmental woes

There are a lot of interesting and controversial examples of owning nature like beach access and endangered species laws. This book details similar examples of ocean floor ownership, underground water and Donald Trump's struggle for air rights. The book is both philosophical, historical and very relevant in today's increasing developmental mindset. Told with a humorous and environmentally consious tone, Slide Mountain is absurd, yet important and relevant. I am going to use this book in my environmental science (100 level) course to get them thinking!