The Savage Landscape : How We Made the Wilderness

But this is a myth. In this groundbreaking book, Cal Flyn reveals how the landscapes we cherish as wild are, in fact, entirely human-made. From the Scottish Highlands to the Amazon rainforest, from rewilded estates to industrial farmland, she uncovers the surprising and often troubling stories behind our most iconic wild places. Drawing on cutting-edge science, historical research, and vivid reportage, Flyn challenges our most fundamental assumptions about nature and wilderness. She shows how indigenous peoples, colonizers, conservationists, and modern rewilders have all shaped these landscapes—sometimes intentionally, sometimes with unintended consequences. The result is a fascinating exploration of what "wild" really means and how understanding the human fingerprints on our environment might help us build a better future. A thought-provoking meditation on landscape, history, and our complicated relationship with nature, The Savage Landscape will transform the way you see the world around you.