Empire Forestry and the Origins of Environmentalism.(Book Review) From: History Today | Date: June 1, 2003| Author: Stott, Phillip | COPYRIGHT 2003 History Today Ltd. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan.  All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group.Copyright information

Gregory A. Barton

Cambridge University Press 192pp 40 [pounds sterling] ISBN 0 521 81417 0

THE CENTRAL THESIS of this challenging book is that imperialism and environmentalism have a shared past that many scholars, especially those on the political left, wish to deny. 'Empire forestry' is defined as forestry practised in the British colonies, particularly in India.

'Environmentalism' is encapsulated as 'sweeping environmental initiatives' and 'the...