A Guide to Sustainability

A collection of more than eight hundred letters selected by Evelyn himself, constitutes an essential new resource for scholars of seventeenth-century England.

In a letter to Sir Thomas Browne, John Evelyn outlined his goal for his magnum opus on gardens: to refine garden ornaments for the benefit of all garden enthusiasts. His work, Elysium Britannicum, or The Royal Gardens, compiled the horticultural knowledge and wisdom of the seventeenth century. Evelyn, a garden designer, a noted author and translator of garden books, and a founding member of the Royal Society in 1660, combined practical, literary, and philosophical approaches to landscape architecture in this encyclopedic work. Although Evelyn never saw it published, John E. Ingram transcribed the manuscript, preserving its complexity and making it accessible to scholars. The work, composed over forty years, includes Evelyn’s drawings of garden layouts, diagrams of inventions for plant and tree cultivation, and plans for the artificial and natural embellishment of the land, all of which contribute to the beauty and utility of the gardens.

Since ancient times, humans have waged war against nature, targeting birds and mammals that conflict with their livelihood. This book explores the history of this conflict in England and Wales from the Middle Ages to today. While declines in species like songbirds and otters are well-known, the deeper causes and complex relationships are less understood. Roger Lovegrove’s extensive research through parish records reveals a detailed history of wildlife and the impact of human actions. The book includes species-by-species accounts with illustrations, covering animals from badgers to golden eagles. Though focused on Britain, its insights are relevant to conservationists worldwide, especially as environmental concerns grow.