Joan Thirsk, a historian of English agriculture, discusses her research and writing on alternative agriculture (such as dye plants and oil seeds) in England from the fourteenth century onward.
Hugh West discusses his study of Georg Forster, the eighteenth-century social observer, ethnologist, scientist, traveler, and writer.
At the time of this interview, Thirsk, a Fellow at the National Humanities Center (1986-87), was professor of history at the University of Oxford.
West, also a Fellow at the Center (1986-87), was professor of history at the University of Richmond.
This edition of Soundings was conducted by Wayne J. Pond.
