The University of Chicago Press, Chicago 60637

The University of Chicago Press, Ltd., London

© 2017 by The University of Chicago

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations in critical articles and reviews. For more information, contact the University of Chicago Press, 1427 E. 60th St., Chicago, IL 60637.

Published 2017

Printed in the United States of America

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ISBN-13: 978-0-226-32639-9 (cloth)

ISBN-13: 978-0-226-32642-9 (e-book)

DOI: 10.7208/chicago/9780226326429.001.0001

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Names: Freyfogle, Eric T., author.

Title: Our oldest task : making sense of our place in nature / Eric T. Freyfogle.

Description: Chicago : The University of Chicago Press, 2017. | Includes bibliographical references and index.

Identifiers: LCCN 2016054304 | ISBN 9780226326399 (cloth : alk. paper) | ISBN 9780226326429 (e-book)

Subjects: LCSH: Nature and civilization. | Human beings—Effect of environment on. | Nature and civilization—United States. | Human beings—Effect of environment on—United States.

Classification: LCC CB460 .F74 2017 | DDC 910—dc23

LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2016054304

This paper meets the requirements of ANSI/NISO Z39.48-1992 (Permanence of Paper).