Frances Wilson

What does ownership of land really mean?

The passion for proprietorship has led to the loss of countless lives over the centuries and the dispossession of those for whom the concept was meaningless

Native Americans approach, in 1820, to inspect the tiny settlement that would become Chicago. Credit: Getty Images

  • Land: How the Hunger for Ownership Shaped the Modern World

    Simon Winchester

    William Collins, pp. 464, £25

Already a subscriber? Log in

This article is for subscribers only

Subscribe today to get 3 months' delivery of the magazine, as well as online and app access, for only £3.

There’s no commitment, you can cancel any time.

  • Weekly delivery of the magazine
  • Unlimited access to our website and app
  • Enjoy Spectator newsletters and podcasts
  • Explore our online archive, going back to 1828

Read next

Trending

Steerpike

Truss book becomes a bestseller

Steerpike
Much has been made of Liz Truss’s book since its publication a fortnight ago. Jeering critics were quick to mock but Mr S was among the first to note that Amazon actually sold out of copies within 72 hours, such was the demand from punters. And today’s Sunday Times confirms that there is a still

Because you read about history

Also by Frances Wilson

Latest

Comments

A blooming good offer

Join the conversation with other Spectator readers by getting the next 3 months for £3.

Already a subscriber? Log in