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Paradise Found: Nature in America at the Time of Discovery
The first Europeans to set foot on North America stood in awe of the natural abundance before them. The skies were filled with birds, seas and rivers teemed with fish, and the forests and grasslands were a hunter’s dream, with populations of game too abundant and diverse to even fathom. It’s no wonder these first settlers thought they had discovered a paradise of sorts. Fortunately for us, they left a legacy of copious records documenting what they saw, and these observations make it possible to craft a far more detailed evocation of North America before its settlement than any other place on the planet.
Here Steve Nicholls brings this spectacular environment back to vivid life, demonstrating with both historical narrative and scientific inquiry just what an amazing place North America was and how it looked when the explorers first found it. The story of the continent’s colonization forms a backdrop to its natural history, which Nicholls explores in chapters on the North Atlantic, the East Coast, the Subtropical Caribbean, the West Coast, Baja California, and the Great Plains. Seamlessly blending firsthand accounts from centuries past with the findings of scientists today, Nicholls also introduces us to a myriad cast of characters who have chronicled the changing landscape, from pre–Revolutionary era settlers to researchers whom he has met in the field.
A director and writer of Emmy Award–winning wildlife documentaries for the Smithsonian Channel, Animal Planet, National Geographic, and PBS, Nicholls deploys a cinematic flair for capturing nature at its most mesmerizing throughout. But Paradise Found is much more than a celebration of what once was: it is also a reminder of how much we have lost along the way and an urgent call to action so future generations are more responsible stewards of the world around them. The result is popular science of the highest order: a book as remarkable as the landscape it recreates and as inspired as the men and women who discovered it.
536 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2009
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
May 30, 2011
paradise found: nature in america at the time of discovery is a thorough and exhaustively researched work chronicling 500 years of natural history on the north american continent. as a writer, director, and producer of wildlife documentaries, british-born steve nicholls' enthusiasm, devotion, and expertise are evident throughout this epic book. arranged mostly by geographic region (both on land and at sea), paradise found is a beautifully composed and densely informative work, albeit one shaded as much by awe and wonder as it is by loss and devastation.
while the bewildering abundance (and variety) of wildlife that greeted the first europeans to the continent is well described, the depth and breadth with which nicholls presents it is also magnificent. substantiated by a broad study of available historical records, firsthand narrative accounts, and modern scientific insights, paradise found is a work of obvious dedication and lasting import. with the perspective of one not native to the continent (though well traveled throughout it), nicholls was, perhaps, afforded the greater luxury of considering his subject free from a revisionist's bias.
as much a catalogue of nature's diversity and opulence as it is a mournful recounting of the ruinous destruction wrought across the continent, nicholls' writing seldom strays into the emotional, but instead allows the consequences of an often appalling history to speak for itself. framed within the historical context of an ever-expanding capitalistic influence and judeo-christian ethic that combined to disastrous effect for both wildlife and wilderness, paradise found offers an objective perspective of the many factors that led (and continue to lead) to widespread and indelible destruction. as nearly all those whom had newly arrived to north america were apt to marvel at, the sheer abundance of life in the new world was quite nearly unbelievable (and thus widely believed to be limitless and inexhaustible). yet, as expansion pressed ever further westward, species were decimated or outright extinguished as rich, thriving ecosystems often gave way to denuded landscapes.
while it is generally agreed upon that many indian tribes lived in ways that had lasting effects upon both the environment and animal populations, there is, however, some disagreement as to how great an effect it actually was. many tribes were known to be nomadic (thus limiting the cumulative damage wrought in any one locale), and nearly all were guided by a traditional wisdom that saw themselves not as something separate from nature, but rather as a part no less important than any other. as nicholls points out (on more than one occasion), if the indian lifestyle did, in fact, have such a deleterious, destructive effect on their landbase, not only would they have suffered the consequences themselves, but arriving europeans would not have had such abundance to encounter in the first place. while nicholls does offer some exceptions (since scholars do not seem to be in total agreement), he also posits that it was precisely because some indians shaped the land as they did (through fires, hunting, cultivation, etc.) that europeans were welcomed by such wealth and variety (as was later made evident when disease and forced relocation left many traditional indian lands less vibrant and quickly out of balance).
within this frame of reference, paradise found goes on to describe how so many regions of north america were remade to suit the needs of a new and rapidly expanding culture. resources (be they fauna or flora) were exploited at a mind-boggling rate, with scant attention paid to the effects of upsetting ecosystems and species that had reached a fluid equilibrium over thousands of years. a list of north american species brought to extinction or near-extinction over the past five centuries is both sad and stunning. some of these species include atlantic slamon, great auks, green turtles (from a population of hundreds of millions), loggerhead turtles, carolina parakeets, ivory-billed woodpeckers, eastern elk, california grizzly (golden bears), heath hens, passenger pigeons (from an estimated population of billions), florida manatees, labrador ducks, eskimo curlews, sea minks, blue pikes, blackfin ciscos, and west indian monk seals, amongst others. many others, while not quite driven to extinction, saw their numbers plummet almost irrecoverably, perhaps most notably the bison (from a population of tens of millions to about 15,000 or so that remain in the wild). still other species have had their genetic diversity severely compromised.
many times throughout paradise found nicholls discusses the concept of the shifting baseline, wherein a subsequent generation cannot really conceive of the abundance a particular species once enjoyed because the decrease has been so great and one's perception so limited. as naturalists and ecologists strive to restore a particular population to its formerly abounding numbers, it is often the case that we cannot perceive how prolific a species, in fact, once was. this notion is particularly important when considering marine life, especially for species that have suffered from decades (and sometimes centuries) of overfishing.
lest one think that paradise found is mere elegy to the squandered affluence of nature, for surely it is so much more, nicholls' book also serves as a cautionary tale insofar as it urges a more rational, informed approach to progress and the use of resources, so as not to go on repeating the short-sighted mistakes of the past.
as nicholls takes us through the natural history of ecosystems as diverse as the atlantic waters, the everglades, the great plains, and the west coast, we are treated to a tour of nearly unimaginable scope and diversity. throughout the book, it becomes increasingly obvious that our conception of the continent's richness today is but a pale shadow of how it would have seemed some 500 years ago. it is no wonder that european settlers were so awestruck by all they encountered here, as it truly must have appeared exultingly beautiful and divine. paradise found, as all great history books ought to, transports us back to an otherworldly time and place encountered nowhere else save for the inviting prose of a gifted storyteller.
while the bewildering abundance (and variety) of wildlife that greeted the first europeans to the continent is well described, the depth and breadth with which nicholls presents it is also magnificent. substantiated by a broad study of available historical records, firsthand narrative accounts, and modern scientific insights, paradise found is a work of obvious dedication and lasting import. with the perspective of one not native to the continent (though well traveled throughout it), nicholls was, perhaps, afforded the greater luxury of considering his subject free from a revisionist's bias.
as much a catalogue of nature's diversity and opulence as it is a mournful recounting of the ruinous destruction wrought across the continent, nicholls' writing seldom strays into the emotional, but instead allows the consequences of an often appalling history to speak for itself. framed within the historical context of an ever-expanding capitalistic influence and judeo-christian ethic that combined to disastrous effect for both wildlife and wilderness, paradise found offers an objective perspective of the many factors that led (and continue to lead) to widespread and indelible destruction. as nearly all those whom had newly arrived to north america were apt to marvel at, the sheer abundance of life in the new world was quite nearly unbelievable (and thus widely believed to be limitless and inexhaustible). yet, as expansion pressed ever further westward, species were decimated or outright extinguished as rich, thriving ecosystems often gave way to denuded landscapes.
while it is generally agreed upon that many indian tribes lived in ways that had lasting effects upon both the environment and animal populations, there is, however, some disagreement as to how great an effect it actually was. many tribes were known to be nomadic (thus limiting the cumulative damage wrought in any one locale), and nearly all were guided by a traditional wisdom that saw themselves not as something separate from nature, but rather as a part no less important than any other. as nicholls points out (on more than one occasion), if the indian lifestyle did, in fact, have such a deleterious, destructive effect on their landbase, not only would they have suffered the consequences themselves, but arriving europeans would not have had such abundance to encounter in the first place. while nicholls does offer some exceptions (since scholars do not seem to be in total agreement), he also posits that it was precisely because some indians shaped the land as they did (through fires, hunting, cultivation, etc.) that europeans were welcomed by such wealth and variety (as was later made evident when disease and forced relocation left many traditional indian lands less vibrant and quickly out of balance).
within this frame of reference, paradise found goes on to describe how so many regions of north america were remade to suit the needs of a new and rapidly expanding culture. resources (be they fauna or flora) were exploited at a mind-boggling rate, with scant attention paid to the effects of upsetting ecosystems and species that had reached a fluid equilibrium over thousands of years. a list of north american species brought to extinction or near-extinction over the past five centuries is both sad and stunning. some of these species include atlantic slamon, great auks, green turtles (from a population of hundreds of millions), loggerhead turtles, carolina parakeets, ivory-billed woodpeckers, eastern elk, california grizzly (golden bears), heath hens, passenger pigeons (from an estimated population of billions), florida manatees, labrador ducks, eskimo curlews, sea minks, blue pikes, blackfin ciscos, and west indian monk seals, amongst others. many others, while not quite driven to extinction, saw their numbers plummet almost irrecoverably, perhaps most notably the bison (from a population of tens of millions to about 15,000 or so that remain in the wild). still other species have had their genetic diversity severely compromised.
many times throughout paradise found nicholls discusses the concept of the shifting baseline, wherein a subsequent generation cannot really conceive of the abundance a particular species once enjoyed because the decrease has been so great and one's perception so limited. as naturalists and ecologists strive to restore a particular population to its formerly abounding numbers, it is often the case that we cannot perceive how prolific a species, in fact, once was. this notion is particularly important when considering marine life, especially for species that have suffered from decades (and sometimes centuries) of overfishing.
lest one think that paradise found is mere elegy to the squandered affluence of nature, for surely it is so much more, nicholls' book also serves as a cautionary tale insofar as it urges a more rational, informed approach to progress and the use of resources, so as not to go on repeating the short-sighted mistakes of the past.
it is for this reason that i have repeatedly mentioned in previous chapters that all decisions regarding the exploitation of natural resources need to follow the precautionary principle. we don't know enough to make bold decisions about how much an ecosystem can take of our depredations. william laurance, a biologist with the smithsonian tropical research institute, has succinctly summed up these dilemmas as "the perils of trying to make linear decisions in a non-linear world."
as nicholls takes us through the natural history of ecosystems as diverse as the atlantic waters, the everglades, the great plains, and the west coast, we are treated to a tour of nearly unimaginable scope and diversity. throughout the book, it becomes increasingly obvious that our conception of the continent's richness today is but a pale shadow of how it would have seemed some 500 years ago. it is no wonder that european settlers were so awestruck by all they encountered here, as it truly must have appeared exultingly beautiful and divine. paradise found, as all great history books ought to, transports us back to an otherworldly time and place encountered nowhere else save for the inviting prose of a gifted storyteller.
July 28, 2021
It can be argued (or not) that the hallmarks of a great book are the degree to which it opens one's eye and the number of ways it can be interpreted as well as valued. My misanthropic interpretation of this remarkable work is that of a necessary, extremely well-researched and frequently appalling documentation of the invasion, conquest and degradation of North America.
While the indigenous peoples of North America are included but not the focus, the book is a brilliantly compiled survey of how horrible (many) people are and what they are willing to do to ensure not just survival but comfort and personal enrichment. Stupidity also plays a significant role.
Not being terribly well-versed in the subject/field I do not know how many works there are like this but I have a feeling it's a pioneering effort. As an American obsessed with pristineness, I knew this work would thoroughly address my curiosity. Nicholls' skill and extensive efforts meant it went far beyond in that regard. It's proven to be one of the most significant and resonant things I've ever read.
This is both a good and not good book for naturalists, nature-lovers or misanthropes. It goes without saying that it's impossible to time-travel but the author paints such a vivid portrait of what it was like before the arrival of nasty Europeans with their guns, germs and steel that one wants to find ways to 'travel' there and keep them out in order to protect the indigenous Native American population and preserve the pristine conditions of the varied, beautiful and abundant flora.
A skilled writer, Nicholls organizes and presents his chapters with brilliance (one reviewer referred to the book as a compendium -- a compendium of atrocities?) and fills them with colorful, detailed and not infrequently sickening stories and accounts of the folly of Man, aka the invasion and looting of North America, replete with its seemingly infinite natural splendor and resources.
It's not too hard to tell what the author really thinks, but his responses are reserved. In his dry, British way he refrains from Attenborough-like editorial, but I wouldn't have minded if he waxed angry. I am probably/hopefully? as horrified and outraged as him.
I would like very much to travel to 1650 and see and experience the things Native Americans did but obviously can't. And being an American who owns a car and has an apartment with gas, electric heat, the internet, music of all kinds, burritos, craft beer and weed, would I want to live like an Native American? I don't know. In the Bay Area, possibly. In North Dakota? Probably not.
OF COURSE IT'S NOT MY FAULT but I am sadly complicit in this degradation and destruction. I'd like to think I'm not part of the depravity and stupidity, but who knows. It raises a lot of questions and is a work that will linger in my mind forever.
I took more notes on this than probably any other book. Lots of juicy, relevant quotes. Very well done, and one of the most significant contributions to the study of North American history, natural and otherwise. It will also fail to disappoint those interested in the study of Homo Sapiens in general.
While the indigenous peoples of North America are included but not the focus, the book is a brilliantly compiled survey of how horrible (many) people are and what they are willing to do to ensure not just survival but comfort and personal enrichment. Stupidity also plays a significant role.
Not being terribly well-versed in the subject/field I do not know how many works there are like this but I have a feeling it's a pioneering effort. As an American obsessed with pristineness, I knew this work would thoroughly address my curiosity. Nicholls' skill and extensive efforts meant it went far beyond in that regard. It's proven to be one of the most significant and resonant things I've ever read.
This is both a good and not good book for naturalists, nature-lovers or misanthropes. It goes without saying that it's impossible to time-travel but the author paints such a vivid portrait of what it was like before the arrival of nasty Europeans with their guns, germs and steel that one wants to find ways to 'travel' there and keep them out in order to protect the indigenous Native American population and preserve the pristine conditions of the varied, beautiful and abundant flora.
A skilled writer, Nicholls organizes and presents his chapters with brilliance (one reviewer referred to the book as a compendium -- a compendium of atrocities?) and fills them with colorful, detailed and not infrequently sickening stories and accounts of the folly of Man, aka the invasion and looting of North America, replete with its seemingly infinite natural splendor and resources.
It's not too hard to tell what the author really thinks, but his responses are reserved. In his dry, British way he refrains from Attenborough-like editorial, but I wouldn't have minded if he waxed angry. I am probably/hopefully? as horrified and outraged as him.
I would like very much to travel to 1650 and see and experience the things Native Americans did but obviously can't. And being an American who owns a car and has an apartment with gas, electric heat, the internet, music of all kinds, burritos, craft beer and weed, would I want to live like an Native American? I don't know. In the Bay Area, possibly. In North Dakota? Probably not.
OF COURSE IT'S NOT MY FAULT but I am sadly complicit in this degradation and destruction. I'd like to think I'm not part of the depravity and stupidity, but who knows. It raises a lot of questions and is a work that will linger in my mind forever.
I took more notes on this than probably any other book. Lots of juicy, relevant quotes. Very well done, and one of the most significant contributions to the study of North American history, natural and otherwise. It will also fail to disappoint those interested in the study of Homo Sapiens in general.
February 12, 2024
Five stars, but goodness, it made me sad. What a horrible mess we've made of a wonderful land-and coasts-filled with wildlife.
July 13, 2020
Wow this book is amazing!!! I may or may not have accidentally left it deep in a national forest where I was camping which is really ironic??? But so good. Loved every minute, it's super engaging and he goes into detail on a lot of things which can sometimes get a little boring but with this book it's just not. It remains exhilarating and fascinating and heart-wrenching throughout.
November 19, 2021
Excellent book. How abundant nature was on the North American continent before the arrival of European explorers. Corrects some myths about it including how native Americans managed nature. Covers the impact of the interaction of Europeans with native Americans through the spread of disease. Covers the shifting baseline from one generation to the next of what has been lost.
April 12, 2022
Very large comprehensive book about the history I should have learned - about colonization and the pillaging and destruction of what was in North America (mexico, canada, caribbean, united states). Very sad to read.
June 18, 2020
Interesting stories behind the changing America's landscape. Changed some of my beliefs.
July 28, 2020
Excellent book
August 24, 2009
Dad said this was way too scholarly and long, but he did learn some interesting facts. Did you know that there was a prairie dog town (as their settlements are known - another interesting fact!) in North Texas that was 250 miles by 100 miles in size before the white man showed up?!?! That blows my mind. There was a lot about the passenger pigeon too. From what I gathered this was a big, depressing exposition of American animal near-extinctions. The book is also big enough to kill a prairie dog with.
October 9, 2012
Excellent and well-researched book. I only gave it 3 starts because it was so unbearably sad to read. The way "man" (& it is mostly men) have decimated nature over the centuries is truly heartbreaking. I had to read this book only a chapter or two at a time over a period of weeks because it was that sad to digest.
June 3, 2010
Very impressive work. The author's goal is to give us a more realistic baseline so we can establish meaningful policies toward wildlife in North America. Many sections made me humiliated to be a human being. This place must have been overwhelming in 1550.
April 28, 2014
everything is going to hell. all the superabundant wildlife, old growth forests are almost entirely gone. this book left me really kind of depressed. but it shows also what impressive exuberance living systems can exhibit.
February 8, 2016
If everyone read this book and knew the impact that we as humans have on the ecosystem, there would be more protests and changes. A must read!
August 19, 2023
Heartbreaking and fascinating.
November 17, 2012
Critical, baseline information.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews