Moving Crops and the Scales of History

This book redefines historical inquiry by focusing on the "cropscape," the people, places, technologies, and ideas that surround a crop, connecting the global with the local and the long-term with microhistory. It investigates a range of contrasting cropscapes to reveal previously invisible actors and forces.

Format: Hardback
Length: 352 pages
Publication date: 11 April 2023
Publisher: Yale University Press

The movement of crops has played a significant role in shaping human history. For countless years, crops have been transported from their natural habitats, such as wildlands and wetlands, to cultivated fields. They have traversed vast distances, moving from one imperial colony to another, and have been a vital source of sustenance for civilizations. In this groundbreaking book, the authors propose a novel approach to historical inquiry by focusing on the "cropscape." The cropscape encompasses a wide range of elements, including people, places, technologies, and ideas, that form around a crop. By studying the cropscape, the authors aim to bridge the gap between the global and the local, the long-term and the short-term, and the concrete and the abstract.

Through their exploration of diverse cropscapes spanning different eras and regions, the authors challenge traditional historical narratives that are structured by periods, geographies, and directions. They reveal previously unseen actors and forces that have influenced the development of crops and societies. For example, they examine the role of farmers and laborers in the cultivation of crops, as well as the impact of technological advancements on crop production. They also explore the cultural and social significance of crops, including their role in religious rituals, cuisine, and identity formation.

The cropscape approach offers a fresh perspective on historical analysis, allowing researchers to uncover new insights and understand the complex relationships between people, plants, and places. It encourages a more interdisciplinary approach to history, drawing on fields such as geography, agriculture, sociology, and cultural studies. By integrating these diverse disciplines, the authors hope to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the past and its implications for the present and future.

In conclusion, this book is a bold and innovative exploration of historical inquiry, offering a fresh perspective on the role of crops in shaping human history. By focusing on the cropscape, the authors challenge traditional narratives and reveal previously unseen actors and forces that have influenced the development of crops and societies. The approach encourages a more interdisciplinary approach to history, drawing on diverse fields to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the past and its implications for the present and future.

Dimension: 235 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780300257250