Reinventing Eden: The Fate of Nature in Western Culture

by Carolyn Merchant
(Reviewed by Tara Roeder)
Merchant maintains that for centuries Western culture has been dominated by a "recovery narrative" in which men have seen themselves as "heroes" who, in one of two plots, either re-discover or re-establish the Garden of Eden on earth. Merchant compellingly argues that events such as the creation of medieval monasteries, the construction of the royal gardens at Versailles, the "discovery" and subsequent colonization of North America, the 19^th century idea of "manifest destiny," and recent attempts to "re-create" Eden through suburbs, malls, and genetically altered food have all taken place within the framework of this particular narrative.  [Read more] ...