Speaking with Nature

Ramachandra Guha is the author of many books, including India After Gandhi: The History of the World’s Largest Democracy and Gandhi: The Years That Changed the World, 1914–1948. Guha’s awards include the Leopold-Hidy Prize of the American Society of Environmental History, the Elizabeth Longford Prize for Historical Biography, and the Fukuoka Prize for contributions to Asian studies. He lives in Bangalore.

“Combining close readings of each subject’s writings, a masterful command of political and intellectual contexts, and sympathetic accounts of lived experiences, the book combines accessibility to a wide audience with a wealth of original insights for even the most expert reader. . . . Revelatory.”—Thomas Simpson, American Historical Review“Guha’s account shows that the pursuit of a humane, inclusive, and sustainable social order can itself serve as a powerful catalyst for environmental consciousness. . . . For anyone interested in environmentalisms and their many forms and flavors and diverse origins, this book is indispensable.”—Neeraj Vedwan, Journal for the Study of Religion, Nature and Culture“With his usual writerly grace, Guha expands the pantheon of environmental prophets to include ten thinkers in India, both Indian and foreign, both prominent and—until now—obscure. A work of cardinal importance for the history of environmentalism.”—J. R. McNeill, author of The Webs of Humankind“In this triumph of intellectual history, Ramachandra Guha gives us a bracing new genealogy of environmental thought—one that offers a critical reminder that care for the earth and human justice need not be at odds.”—Bathsheba Demuth, author of Floating Coast“This book, by one of our era’s outstanding environmental historians, is a magnificent achievement.”—Rob Nixon, author of Slow Violence and the Environmentalism of the Poor“Speaking with Nature is a stunning achievement. Ramachandra Guha, one of the pioneers of Indian environmental history, excavates the multiple and surprising lineages of environmentalism in modern India. Guha finds seeds of inspiration for our catastrophic times in paths not taken and forgotten ideas. Written with Guha’s characteristic grace and verve, Speaking with Nature is filled with telling detail, compelling characters, and arresting insights.”—Sunil Amrith, author of The Burning Earth