The Curse of Akkad: Climate Upheavals That Rocked Human History - Tapa dura

In a refreshing look at climate change...well researched...and visually attractive.--Lindsay Cesari, Baldwinsville School District, NY"School Library Journal" (02/01/2009)

This is a fascinating history of climate and the impact it has had on civilizations throughout history. Christie writes about major weather events: floods, droughts, volcanoes and other occurrences that have had catastrophic effects on the land, people and civilizations impacted. Much of the book details happenings from long ago, such as the fate of the Harappan society, which flourished about the same time as ancient Egypt and all but disappeared from history--probably destroyed by a crop-killing drought. However, Christie also touches on the impact we humans have today on the environment and what this means and will mean to our civilization. A great read, with lots of interesting sidebars; this one is sure to captivate readers.

Tailor-made for reluctant readers, this sweeping survey of the effects of climate change on human civilization is presented in digestible segments of one to three pages, some laced with melodramatic packages....The subject is compellingly topical... Useful reading lists are appended.--John Peters"Booklist" (08/01/2008)

In a refreshing look at climate change, Christie discusses the ways in which environmental conditions have shaped human history.... The book is well researched...and visually attractive. In all, the text is readable, and connecting science to history opens the topic of climate change to a wider range of students.--Lindsay Cesari, Baldwinsville School District, NY"School Library Journal" (02/01/2009)

From an ice age that gave humans an evolutionary leg up to an El Niño that frustrated the battle plans of Hitler, an exploration of climate shifts of the past shows that the prevailing weather of a place is not simply a backdrop to important events, but often a critical player. Simultaneous.