Background
McNeill, John Robert was born on October 6, 1954 in Chicago, Illinois, United States. Son of William Hardy and Elizabeth (Darbishire) McNeill.
(Atlantic Empires of France and Spain is a comparative stu...)
Atlantic Empires of France and Spain is a comparative study of the colonies of Cape Breton and Cuba within their imperial systems and within the Atlantic world in general. John McNeill examines the importance of these colonies fo the French and Spanish empires, particularly in light of Britain's rise to dominance among European imperial powers. McNeil covers French and Spanish economic and military policy toward the colonies, as well as the empires' actual economic and military roles. Particular colonial trades -- codfish in Cape Breton and sugar and tobacco in Cuba -- were important to the economies of the mother countries. Both colonies proved to be highly profitable and comparatively inexpensive to defend, govern, and maintain, but, as McNeill shows, managing them from a distance was not without problems. Smuggling was widespread throughout the colonies, although this illegal trading did not undermine the overall commercial success of the systems. In addition, because the preferred method of profiteering from a rival's empire was to seize cargo at critical points on the high seas, the imperial powers faced the continual threat of foreign attacks on their trade ships. McNeill also emphasizes the role of geography, climate, ecosystems, and disease patterns in thwarting Spanish and French ambitions in the New World. Using archival research, McNeill illuminates the character of the Atlantic world of the eighteenth century by offering information on the economy and defense of two colonies. He also delineates the importance of overseas holdings to European states and the problems of imperial management. Originally published in 1985. A UNC Press Enduring Edition -- UNC Press Enduring Editions use the latest in digital technology to make available again books from our distinguished backlist that were previously out of print. These editions are published unaltered from the original, and are presented in affordable paperback formats, bringing readers both historical and cultural value.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0807816698/?tag=2022091-20
(This book describes and analyses the environmental histor...)
This book describes and analyses the environmental history of the mountain areas of the Mediterranean world, focusing on Turkey, Greece, Italy, Spain, and Morocco. The author examines the land and its people and concludes that great changes in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries created the often barren and depopulated countrysides of today. These changes, he suggests, lie behind much of the social and political turbulence of modern times as mountain people came to terms with worsening conditions. Written in a lively style, the book is the first environmental history of the Mediterranean area.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0521522889/?tag=2022091-20
McNeill, John Robert was born on October 6, 1954 in Chicago, Illinois, United States. Son of William Hardy and Elizabeth (Darbishire) McNeill.
Bachelor, Swarthmore College, 1975. Master of Arts, Duke University, 1977. Doctor of Philosophy, Duke University, 1981.
Researcher, Ecosystems Center, Woods Hole, Massachusetts, 1982-1983; assistant professor, Goucher College, Towson, Maryland., 1983-1985; assistant professor, Georgetown University, Washington, 1985-1990; associate professor, Georgetown University, Washington, 1990-1993; professor, Georgetown University, Washington, since 1993. Visiting assistant professor Duke U., 1982-1983.
(Atlantic Empires of France and Spain is a comparative stu...)
(This book describes and analyses the environmental histor...)
(Will be shipped from US. Used books may not include compa...)
Member American History Association, World History Association, American Society for Environmental History.
Married Julia A. Billingsley, June 22, 1985. Children: William Thomas, Patrick Hardy, Jesse Alexander.