How great is the environment's role in shaping the history of a region? The Ordinary People of Essex systematically analyzes the use of land in Upper Canada, particularly the influence of agricultural activity on the area. Presenting the findings of an impressive collection of statistical data, John Clarke creates a detailed map and rich history of the region by tracking the successes and failures of land practices commonly employed by settlers in Essex County.

Clarke covers a remarkable number of topics, including geographic factors in the choice of agricultural land, land acquisition and clearance, energy expended in clearing and planting the land, and selection of specific crops and their extent and yields in particular combinations of soils. He also investigates the geographic parameters for wheat production - which drove the local economy - and the cultural origins of farmers as it relates to their use of intensive and extensive agriculture. Brimming with detail and expert analysis, The Ordinary People of Essex is an illuminating study of settler life and the conditions that make it possible to found a community. It complements the author's award-winning Land, Power, and Economics.