The Oxford Research Centre In The Humanities/Princeton University Press Lectures In European Culture

Presented through cross-cultural close readings, the work moves from ancient myths to modern manifestos, weaving literary history with ecological insight. It treats literature as a living archive of environmental change, showing how reading practices influence attitudes and behaviors. The prose is rigorous yet accessible, inviting newcomers to ecocriticism while offering fresh angles for seasoned scholars.

Readers are guided through a chronological and thematic journey—from early epics to contemporary discourse—that links narrative form to planetary futures. The approach foregrounds ecological thinking behind the idea of world literature since the nineteenth century and emphasizes how storytelling can reshape public imagination, discourse, and action.

• Broad, cross-cultural survey of world literature across four millennia, connecting narrative to environmental history
• Introduces ecocritical frameworks and a modern approach to reading in a warming world
• Links ancient myths, political treatises, and literary criticism to reveal how stories influence environmental attitudes
• Clear, rigorous prose that supports both academic study and thoughtful, accessible reading
• A structured, idea-forward journey that helps readers apply insights to teaching, discussion groups, and personal reflection

After finishing, readers gain a nuanced understanding of how literature can guide climate conversations, deepen empathy across cultures, and foster critical thinking about our shared future. The work leaves a lasting impression as a thoughtful invitation to reimagine storytelling as a resource for hope and responsibility.