American Canopy: Trees, Forests, and the Making of a Nation by Eric Rutkow

American Canopy: Trees, Forests, and the Making of a Nation is a book written by attorney Eric Rutkow that examines how trees and forests have shaped the United States and its history. Rutkow covers a range of topics from the Indigenous Americans who used the forests for shelter, food and resources, to the forces of expansion that transformed the landscape of the continent, to the changing relationship between humans and the natural environment in the contemporary era.

The book starts by discussing the central role of trees and forests in the lives of Indigenous Americans. Rutkow examines how Native American tribes used the environment to build settlements and towns, and how they viewed forests as part of the sacred universe. He also looks at efforts made by the French, Dutch, and English to use forests as a way to control their respective colonies. The book then dives into the Age of Exploration, looking at the different ways in which trees and forests were used to help create a new nation.

Rutkow examines the ways in which the environment was changed in many ways, such as the introduction of new species, the clearing of forests for crops and buildings, and the development of factories and roads. The author also looks at how tree and forest logging contributed to the growing labor force in early America and at how forests were used to help create wealth. The book also looks at how trees were central in the development of the national identity of the United States, with forests serving as symbols of freedom, strength, and greatness.

Rutkow further examines the impact of deforestation on the environment and the economy. He looks at the effects of the Dust Bowl and the role that deforestation allies had in the destruction of the natural environment. The book also looks at the rise of the conservation movement, particularly in the first half of the 20th century.

Following a discussion of the Positive Conservation Movement and its opposition to the market-driven view of nature, Rutkow goes on to explore the changing relationship between humans and the natural environment in the 20th and 21st centuries. He examines the rise of the environmental justice movement and the focus on sustainability. He also looks at the debates over clearcutting and whether it is an appropriate use of forest resources.

Overall, American Canopy: Trees, Forests, and the Making of a Nation by Eric Rutkow is a comprehensive and comprehensive examination of how humans have historically interacted with and transformed the natural environment in the United States. It covers a broad range of topics and perspectives, from the Indigenous Americans to the forces of expansion that reshaped this continent, to the contemporary debates surrounding the conservation of natural resources. By using a variety of sources, including oral histories and scientific studies, Rutkow offers an in-depth and detailed exploration of the importance of tree and forest resources to the United States and its citizens.