Synopses & Reviews
This is a book about the biological conquest of the New World. Taking as a case study the sixteenth century history of a region of highland central Mexico, it shows how the environmental and social changes brought about by the introduction of Old World species aided European expansion. The book spells out in detail the environmental changes associated with the introduction of Old World grazing animals into New World ecosystems, demonstrates how these changes enabled the Spanish takeover of land, and explains how environmental changes shaped the colonial societies.
Review
"Meticulously researched and gracefully written, Melville's book is a solid contribution to the growing body of scholarship concerning environmental history. Based on an exhaustive investigation of Spanish and Mexican archives, her argumants are convincing." Forest and Conservation History"Melville's book does a great service....All in all, the book truly contributes to an historical profession that too often sees nature in terms of the longue dureé of Braudel. Melville provides a balance." Abel A. Alves, H-Net Book Review"This is a fascinating study of the effects of policy and ecology on a small region in Mexico....All who are interested in historical environmental studies should read this book. Its implications are not limited to Mexico, nor to the early modern period." John F. Schwaller, Sixteenth Century Journal"...a very important book for all those interested in Latin American history....a very important work because it opens up a debate that should help us better understand the processes of European conquest throughout Latin America." Erick D. Langer, The Americas"Melville's book does a great service....All in all, the book truly contributes to an historical profession that too often sees nature in terms of the longue dureé of Braudel. Melville provides a balance." Abel A. Alves, H-Net Book Review"This is a fascinating study of the effects of policy and ecology on a small region in Mexico....All who are interested in historical environmental studies should read this book. Its implications are not limited to Mexico, nor to the early modern period." John F. Schwaller, Sixteenth Century Journal"A Plague of Sheep is methodologically sophisticated, largely successful in its approach, and convincing in its argument. It constitutes an admirable model for others interested in this field of history and puts forth an argument about the course and causes of the Spanish conquest's effects on the landscape that future scholars will need to address in their work....this dense, pathbreaking study richly rewards the reader....the reader will also undoubtedly feel the satisfaction of having been engaged in first-rate scholarly discourse." Elinor Melville, Ethno History
Review
"...a very important book for all those interested in Latin American history....a very important work because it opens up a debate that should help us better understand the processes of European conquest throughout Latin America." Erick D. Langer, The Americas"Melville's book does a great service....All in all, the book truly contributes to an historical profession that too often sees nature in terms of the longue dureé of Braudel. Melville provides a balance." Abel A. Alves, H-Net Book Review"This is a fascinating study of the effects of policy and ecology on a small region in Mexico....All who are interested in historical environmental studies should read this book. Its implications are not limited to Mexico, nor to the early modern period." John F. Schwaller, Sixteenth Century Journal
Synopsis
Taking as a case study the sixteenth-century history of a region of highland central Mexico, this book is about the biological conquest of the New World.
Description
Includes bibliographical references (p. 187-196) and index.