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

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).

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.