21 April 2019
Origins: How Earth's History Shaped Human History
A New York Times-bestselling author explains how the physical world shaped the history of our species
When we talk about human history, we often focus on great leaders, population forces, and decisive wars. But how has the earth itself determined our destiny? Our planet wobbles, driving changes in climate that forced the transition from nomadism to farming. Mountainous terrain led to the development of democracy in Greece. Atmospheric circulation patterns later on shaped the progression of global exploration, colonization, and trade. Even today, voting behavior in the south-east United States ultimately follows the underlying pattern of 75 million-year-old sediments from an ancient sea. Everywhere is the deep imprint of the planetary on the human.
From the cultivation of the first crops to the founding of modern states, Origins reveals the breathtaking impact of the earth beneath our feet on the shape of our human civilizations.
| Title | : | Origins: How Earth's History Shaped Human History |
| ISBN | : | 9781541617902 |
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Nature gave this book a good writeup at https://www.nature.com/articles/d4158... -- but see Michael Cayley's review, https://www.goodreads.com/review/show... : "It is very much a journalistic read, wi...
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An attempt to bring out the influences of geology, environment and physical geography on human history. It is very much a journalistic read, with some sweeping and sometimes simplistic generalisations...
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Well it was a very interesting read for someone like me who knows almost nothing about geology but is interested anyway. It's written clearly and the descriptive material really takes you to the land ...
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Well researched and highly accessible. ...
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Big pictures are more interesting Great read that articulates its key thesis very well. I would strongly recommend to all, especially for public policy makers! ...
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I found this book fascinating and informative.I loved the style of writing and the writer explained his theories and their implication.This a great educational book that can help the average people (l...
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Humans are a product of the Earth we live on. In Lewis Dartnell's latest book, he explores human evolution out of the forests, into the savannah and across the globe. What made us the dominant species...
