52 pages • 1 hour read
Mike DavisLate Victorian Holocausts: El Niño Famines and the Making of the Third World
Nonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 2000A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
Late Victorian Holocausts by Mike Davis explores how El Niño-induced droughts in the late 19th century led to devastating famines in India, China, and Brazil due to imperial policies that prioritized capitalist accumulation and exploitation. He argues that Western colonial administrations exacerbated these natural disasters by dismantling local subsistence economies and imposing punitive relief requirements. The book discusses unsettling historical events, including genocide, starvation, and cannibalism.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Mike Davis's Late Victorian Holocausts is praised for its meticulous research and compelling argument linking colonialism and climate with historical famines. Critics commend its interdisciplinary approach but note its dense academic style may challenge general readers and debate its absolute stance on imperial culpability. Fascinating yet demanding.
Who Should Read Late Victorian Holocausts?
A reader who would enjoy Late Victorian Holocausts by Mike Davis is likely interested in global history, social justice, and analysis of colonialism's impact. This book appeals to fans of Guns, Germs, and Steel by Jared Diamond and The Shock Doctrine by Naomi Klein, as it combines historical narrative with critical socio-political commentary.