Colonial Americans were enamored with the rich colors and silky surface of mahogany. As this exotic wood became fashionable; demand for it set in motion a dark; hidden story of human and environmental exploitation. Anderson traces the path from source to sale; revealing how prosperity and desire shaped not just people’s lives but the natural world.
#627277 in Books Harvard University Press 1995-08-11 1995-08-25Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.25 x .77 x 6.13l; .90 #File Name: 0674314263308 pages
Review
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful. Best (and most enjoyable) book I've read this year!By Daniel FoucachonI can't praise this book enough! Carl Richard does a fantastic job of drawing parallels between the founders and the Roman classics. Not only did our founders know and love the classics (as he points out); but it influenced their lives and how they thought in very tangible way!The story of Washington and Cincinnatus is a prime example. Washington was so influenced by this 5th century Roman who famously gave his power (of dictator) back to the senate; that Richard points out that Washington refused to surrender during the worst parts of the American War for Independence lest he forfeit the privilege of laying down his power after the war.Here is what is probably my favorite quote from the book:"An astonished western world agreed with the judgement of George III. Unable to believe that any military leader would voluntarily surrender such power; the kind scoffed that if Washington resigned his commission; “He will be the greatest man in the world.†The king’s confusion epitomized his inability; throughout the Revolutionary conflict ; to comprehend the enormous emotional power which classical republican ideals wielded over American minds†(p. 71).Highly recommend this book! If you love the classics; and the history of our founders; this may be your new favorite book!0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Our great Founding Fathers were not the only ones in Philadelphia ...By THOMAS JENSENOur great Founding Fathers were not the only ones in Philadelphia during that hot summer of 1787. They had with them the age of the Greeks; Roman; and European Enlightened thinkers. In this great work; Dr. Richard gives us a rich and exciting read of the great ancients whose works still give us the moral and natural laws we live by today.A must own text for those that cherish our great Constitutional debates and the origination of some of the evolved thoughts coming to Philadelphia in 1787; but; originating as far back as 2;000 years ago.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Four StarsBy A. GobeaWonderful.
