Late Victorian Holocausts: El Nino Famines and the Making of the Third World

by Mike Davis

English language

Published July 8, 2001

ISBN:: 978-1-85984-382-6

(6 reviews)

Late Victorian Holocausts: El Niño Famines and the Making of the Third World is a book by Mike Davis about the connection between political economy and global climate patterns, particularly El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO). By comparing ENSO episodes in different time periods and across countries, Davis explores the impact of colonialism and the introduction of capitalism, and the relation with famine in particular. Davis argues that "Millions died, not outside the 'modern world system', but in the very process of being forcibly incorporated into its economic and political structures. They died in the golden age of Liberal Capitalism; indeed, many were murdered ... by the theological application of the sacred principles of Smith, Bentham and Mill." The book won the World History Association Book Prize in 2002.Davis characterizes the Indian famines which took place under colonial rule as a "genocide". Some scholars, including Niall Ferguson, have disputed this judgment, while …

3 editions

Lucas reviewed Late Victorian Holocausts: El Nino Famines and the Making of the Third World by Mike Davis

Harrowing, multidisciplinary, thorough--better with maps than as audiobook

4 stars

A harrowing survey of suffering and human-led disaster. Argues that these years of famine more or less initiated what became known as the Third World; like most all famines, were a confluence of bad circumstances in which humans had a the means, opportunity, and moral capacity to greatly reduce death and suffering—but didn't, in large part because those who could were dedicated instead to empire and capital. Fascinating argument that spans economics, ecology, climate, culture, and so much more; thoroughly researched and presented.

Not great to hear as an audiobook as I had to pause and look up maps (and do so by guessing at how regions are spelled). Not knowing Indian, Chinese, Brazilian, and East African geography well sure made this harder than I expect it would’ve been in print, with maps (presumably).

philipp reviewed Late Victorian Holocausts: El Nino Famines and the Making of the Third World by Mike Davis

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4 stars

Well, that's a thorough book. Could have been slightly shortened for my taste. But at least it's thorough. Only weird thing: after over 400 pages, it just ends. No conlusion, no outlook. After such an in-depth analysis, this end came unexpected. But Davis' style is incredibly readable, given the topic's complexity.