Feral by George Monbiot

George Monbiots Feral is a fantastic exploration into the state of our landscapes and rewilding, pointing out how unnatural our landscapes we often view as natural really are, how many species are missing from them and just how much of our natural environment we've lost.  He points out the damage government policy does, the destructive nature of agricultural subsidies, how ridiculous and unfair our farming and land use practices are, how conservation can be misguided, myopic and hide a multitude of sins; and imagines how this situation could be changed to the benefit of all (or at least the benefit of most). Archaeology taught me how man has manipulated, altered and in some cases effectively destroyed the landscapes I roam, and although I was aware, I had never really thought to what extent or how far and wide ranging our actions had been on the structures and interactions in nature. Monbiot provides examples which really make you think to what extent we live in a pale shadow of a what our natural environment should be, but more, it's getting worse.

Although I've made it sound a depressing read (and it is in parts), it's not all grim reading, not by a long way. It's full of hope and optimism. Things could change and as soon as we stop intervening negatively, either by choice or other agency, things will change and nature will heal herself and hopefully return to the diverse and fecundant state she enjoyed before our meddling. He gives examples of people and enterprises who are working towards that goal and other successes.  It's a book that sets your imagination soaring; a book about what could be.  Go on, read it, you'll enjoy it.