-"America's history has been shaped not only by political events but also by its environment. Beginning with the establishment of the English Colonies in the late 16th century, this two-volume set edited by Lybecker (political science, Idaho State Univ.) and Black (history & environmental science, Penn State Univ., Altoona; Nature and the Environment in Nineteenth-Century American Life) presents a chronological view of selected events that demonstrate how the American people have used and adapted the environment to suit their needs and the environment has influenced the American people. Headers for each of the 160-plus articles list the time period being discussed, opposing people or groups during the event, other interested parties, and the general environmental issues under discussion. Subjects covered include political and ecological developments, environmental conservation, agriculture, scalable development, and pollution. Lewis and Clark, American expansion, energy development, and Love Canal articles count among the events covered. The easy-to-read entries vary between one and seven pages in length and conclude with a brief list of sources and titles for further reading." —Library Journal

-"Black and Lybecker take a more measured and calmly descriptive appraoch than some previous books on environmental history. This resource will be useful to high-school and college students and teachers along with the general public and is well worth consideration by most libraries." —Booklist