Forests in Revolutionary France

Discover the intricate history of environmental conservation in Kieko Matteson's enlightening book, Forests in Revolutionary France, published by Cambridge University Press in 2020. Spanning 325 pages, this engaging work delves into the fierce debates surrounding forest management from the seventeenth to the nineteenth century. Matteson expertly illustrates how conflicts over forests among the state, landowning elites, and the peasantry mirrored the growing demand for this essential natural resource, ultimately influencing France's revolutionary movements. This comprehensive analysis not only sheds light on the environmental issues of the past but also resonates with contemporary discussions on conservation and resource management. A must-read for anyone interested in the intersections of ecology, history, and social change in Europe.