The Control of Nature (1989) Signed First Edition Reference

The Control of Nature (Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 1989) examines three locations where human engineering confronts geological forces: the Army Corps of Engineers’ battle to keep the Mississippi River from changing course, Icelanders fighting lava flows with seawater, and Los Angeles homeowners facing debris flows from the San Gabriel Mountains. McPhee’s thesis — that nature will ultimately win these battles — gives the book a prophetic quality in an era of climate change.

Signed Copy Market Values

• Signed first in jacket: $60–$150
• Unsigned first in jacket: $15–$35

One of McPhee’s most frequently assigned books — widely taught in environmental studies and journalism programs.