The Greening of Georgia: The Improvement of the Environment in the Twentieth Century

Rating:
Summary: Authoritative work by a true authority
Review: From the top of his 40-yr experience in research in plant physiology and its responses to the environment, Professor R. Harold Brown, world renowned authority, presents a comprehensive treatise on the environment in Georgia. Outstanding writing, by an outstanding author and scientific journal editor. Too bad not all can appreciate it.

Rating:
Summary: The Greening of Georgia
Review: The following was relayed to me about the book:
Harold Brown is Professor Emeritus of Plant Sciences at UGA.
This book clearly makes the point that Georgia's environment in nearly every way is far healthier, less polluted, and better managed today than 100 years ago. Every point is made with loads of data and the book is fully footnoted and referenced for those who are skeptical or wish further reading.

Rating:
Summary: An excellent book well worth study and reading
Review: The greening of Georgia is a valuable book for people who want to understand the changes of the environment in Georgia in the last century. The book is a clearly written historical ecology of the large region of the Southeastern United States found in the boundaries of Georgia. The book is also an argument that the environment in Georgia is better in the present than it was in the past. To marshal this argument Professor Brown appeals to the data from known sources rather than to improper appeals to authority. Figures 1.1, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 5.1, 5.2, 5.9, 5.10 and 6.1 are worthy of thoughtful consideration by every reader. Students who wish to learn how to explain scientific data in an honest and effective way should consult this book. In practice the book carries out the principles of honest graphical presentation of data explained by Edward Tufte in "The visual display of quantitative information." The figures tell a clear and relatively straightforward story of advances in the well being of the people of Georgia. The author deftly and accurately chronicles the economic conditions in Georgia in the early 20th century, which went hand in hand with the destruction of the topsoil (in many locations) and the sedimentation of the streams and rivers. Dr. Brown also chronicles the changes in air and water quality and wildlife populations with specific examples. The author does not ignore data that appear to be evidence against his hypothesis. In this regard, the discussion of the decline in bobwhite quail populations is excellent. The author presents a many of the themes of his book in his elegant poem, "Eternal Chattahoochee" on the page at the Start of Chapter 1. The author describes the forces that changed the environment for the better in Georgia. Professor Brown presents a compelling, objective history that should be read by folks with and without scientific training. It is an honest evaluation of the changes in the environment in Georgia. One expects that this story is not limited to Georgia but is true for much of the United States as well. Overall, "The greening of Georgia" is a good book worthy of study and consideration. It is a hopeful story as well.

Rating:
Summary: An excellent book well worth study and reading
Review: The greening of Georgia is a valuable book for people who want to understand the changes of the environment in Georgia in the last century. The book is a clearly written historical ecology of the large region of the Southeastern United States found in the boundaries of Georgia. The book is also an argument that the environment in Georgia is better in the present than it was in the past. To marshal this argument Professor Brown appeals to the data from known sources rather than to improper appeals to authority. Figures 1.1, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 5.1, 5.2, 5.9, 5.10 and 6.1 are worthy of thoughtful consideration by every reader. Students who wish to learn how to explain scientific data in an honest and effective way should consult this book. In practice the book carries out the principles of honest graphical presentation of data explained by Edward Tufte in "The visual display of quantitative information." The figures tell a clear and relatively straightforward story of advances in the well being of the people of Georgia. The author deftly and accurately chronicles the economic conditions in Georgia in the early 20th century, which went hand in hand with the destruction of the topsoil (in many locations) and the sedimentation of the streams and rivers. Dr. Brown also chronicles the changes in air and water quality and wildlife populations with specific examples. The author does not ignore data that appear to be evidence against his hypothesis. In this regard, the discussion of the decline in bobwhite quail populations is excellent. The author presents a many of the themes of his book in his elegant poem, "Eternal Chattahoochee" on the page at the Start of Chapter 1. The author describes the forces that changed the environment for the better in Georgia. Professor Brown presents a compelling, objective history that should be read by folks with and without scientific training. It is an honest evaluation of the changes in the environment in Georgia. One expects that this story is not limited to Georgia but is true for much of the United States as well. Overall, "The greening of Georgia" is a good book worthy of study and consideration. It is a hopeful story as well.

Rating:
Summary: The Greening of Georgia
Review: This is a strange book. It seems well-researched with many citations of previously published work but very little original, if any,work. I agree with the premise of the book but find fault with the author, whoever he is, that he does not seem to understand what is going on. Perhaps he's just an old codger like me.

Rating:
Summary: Greening of Georgia
Review: This is a strange book. It seems well-researched with many citations of previously published work but very little original, if any,work. I agree with the premise of the book but find fault with the author, whoever he is, that he does not seem to understand what is going on. Perhaps he's just an old codger like me.