THE EARTH TRANSFORMED An Untold History

With a cultured British accent and detached lecture style, Peter Frankopan, Professor of Global History at Oxford University, outlines ways that climate change may have influenced human development and, conversely, the ways human development may have influenced and accelerated climate change. Frankopan cites extensive research demonstrating the reality of climate and environmental change, as well as the natural volatility of the planet--for example, volcanic eruptions and earthquakes--and how it has impacted events ranging from agricultural disasters to disease and political turmoil. He goes on to alert listeners to the dangers of continuing to degrade the environment. Sadly, Frankopan as narrator does not serve his long text well. A plodding cadence and unvaried tonal quality detract from what might otherwise be an engrossing listen. S.G. © AudioFile 2023, Portland, Maine [Published: MAY 2023]