Elizabeth Hennessy Bücher

An insightful exploration of the iconic Galápagos tortoises, and how their fate is inextricably linked to our own in a rapidly changing world The Galápagos archipelago is often viewed as a last foothold of pristine nature. For sixty years, conservationists have worked to restore this evolutionary Eden after centuries of exploitation at the hands of pirates, whalers, and island settlers. This book tells the story of the islands' namesakes--the giant tortoises--as coveted food sources, objects of natural history, and famous icons of conservation and tourism. By doing so, it brings into stark relief the paradoxical, and impossible, goal of conserving species by trying to restore a past state of prehistoric evolution. The tortoises, Elizabeth Hennessy demonstrates, are not prehistoric, but rather microcosms whose stories show how deeply human and nonhuman life are entangled. In a world where evolution is thoroughly shaped by global history, Hennessy puts forward a vision for conservation based on reckoning with the past, rather than trying to erase it.

Focusing on the internal operations of the Bank of England, this book explores the institution's evolution from 1930 to 1960 through the leadership of three distinct governors. It delves into the economic challenges and decisions faced during this pivotal period, providing insights into monetary policy, governance, and the bank's role in shaping the British economy. Through detailed accounts and analyses, readers gain a deeper understanding of the complexities and dynamics that influenced the bank's functioning during these transformative decades.