Books matching: history of human development
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- #1
Save:At once grand in scope and intimate in human detail, 'Isle of Woman' by Piers Anthony tells the story of a man and a woman born at the dawn of human history, separated by fate, yet united by an unquenchable passion that even time could not conquer. Through their eyes and those of their descendants, we witness humanity's odyssey from savagery to civilization as they are reborn again and again throughout history. The novel traces a man and a woman who recur through human history, not exactly reincarnation, not exactly archetypes. It reads like a collection of short stories that follow the fate of familiar characters as they make their way through different times and cultures.
Two million years before the present, Australopithecus had given way to Homo habilis (HO-mo HAB-i-lis), "handy man," larger and with a bigger brain. He lived in the Great Rift Valley of east Africa. H... "Evolution Gone Wrong: The Curious Reasons Why Our Bodies Work" by Alex Bezzerides delves into the intricacies of human evolution and physiology, examining the reasons behind the imperfections in our bodies. The author's writing style is a mix of humor and informative content, making complex biological concepts accessible to readers. From discussing the evolution of the eye to the impact of dietary changes on teeth formation, Bezzerides takes readers on a journey through our evolutionary past, explaining the origins of various bodily features in an engaging manner.
The book covers a wide range of topics such as childbirth, back pain, foot evolution, color vision, and infertility, providing readers with a comprehensive understanding of how evolution has shaped the human body. Despite some criticism regarding the author's writing style, the book is praised for its informative content, humor, and ability to make challenging scientific concepts understandable to a broad audience.
'Origins: How Earth's History Shaped Human History' by Lewis Dartnell is a fascinating combination of geology, geography, technology, and history. It explores how plate tectonics have created our world and shaped the development of humans in unexpected ways. Dartnell takes a long view to explain why human development progressed as it did, focusing on the influence of geology over billions of years. delves into topics such as the influence of plate tectonics on civilizations, the impact of unique geography on human evolution, and how geological forces have enabled the flourishing of human societies. Dartnell's writing style is engaging and informative, presenting complex scientific concepts in a readable manner.
The human branch of the evolutionary tree, called the hominins, is part of the wider animal group of the primates. Our closest living relatives are the chimpanzees. Genetics suggest that our divergenc...- #4
Save:The Dawn of Everything by David Graeber and David Wengrow is a dense and thought-provoking exploration of humanity's early history, challenging traditional views of anthropological history. The book delves into various stateless ways in which people have organized themselves in the past, offering a high-level overview of different social and political organizations throughout history.
Graeber and Wengrow's writing style in The Dawn of Everything is described as verbose and polemical, with a strong anarchist vibe. The book aims to provide a new perspective on questions about the origins of social inequality, emphasizing the diversity among social and political organizations throughout history and questioning the idea of social-political evolution.
‘This mood makes itself felt everywhere, politically, socially, and philosophically. We are living in what the Greeks called the καιρóς (Kairos) – the right time – for a “metamorphosis of the gods,” i... - #5
Save:Bill Bryson puts his writing skills to science this time, written from the layman's point of view. The book covers a wide range of scientific topics, from the Big Bang to genetics, in an organized and informative manner. Bryson injects humor and historical context into complex subjects, making it an entertaining and educational read about the history of science and our understanding of the universe.
The book serves as a fantastic review of scientific milestones, blending well-known and lesser-known facts with humor and poignant reflections on humanity's impact on the planet. It presents a comprehensive overview of natural sciences, leaving readers in awe of the wonders of the universe and emphasizing the importance of scientific knowledge and responsibility.
A proton is an infinitesimal part of an atom, which is itself of course an insubstantial thing. Protons are so small that a little dib of ink like the dot on thisi can hold something in the region of ... 'A People's History of the United States' by Howard Zinn presents American history through the eyes of the marginalized and oppressed, such as indigenous peoples, slaves, women, workers, and the poor. Zinn challenges the traditional narrative of American history by highlighting the struggles and perspectives of those often overlooked in mainstream historical accounts. The book provides a comprehensive and alternative view of historical events, offering a critical analysis of the foundations of the United States and shedding light on lesser-known rebellions and movements that have shaped the nation.
Zinn's writing style in 'A People's History of the United States' is described as engaging, readable, and well-sourced. Readers find the book to be informative, eye-opening, and thought-provoking, as it delves into the darker aspects of American history that are often omitted or sugar-coated in traditional textbooks. Through detailed accounts and historical facts, Zinn offers readers a different perspective on key events and figures in American history, encouraging critical thinking and a reevaluation of commonly held beliefs about the nation's past.
Arawak men and women, naked, tawny, and full of wonder, emerged from their villages onto the island’s beaches and swam out to get a closer look at the strange big boat. When Columbus and his sailors c...- #7
Save:Seven Views of Olduvai Gorge (Birthright) by Mike Resnick is a thought-provoking short story that offers a unique perspective on humanity's legacy from the viewpoint of future anthropologists visiting an Earth long after humans have gone extinct. It explores the theme of human violence and aggression, suggesting that these traits are what define our species in the eyes of other interstellar life forms. While the story is engaging and well-written, some readers find its portrayal of humans overly simplistic and lacking nuance, focusing predominantly on negative aspects rather than celebrating our potential for good.
The writing style is concise and accessible, making it an easy read of just 42 pages, perfect for a quick session at the breakfast table or during a commute. The narrative is split into seven interconnected segments, each revealing layers of insight into human history and character. Although some appreciate the literary merit and the awards it has garnered, opinions vary, with critiques noting that the themes feel dated and that the commentary on human nature oversimplifies a complex subject. Despite these criticisms, the book remains a compelling exploration of what future beings might conclude about our species.
The moon had just slipped behind the clouds when we heard the first rustlings in the grass. Then there was a moment of utter silence, as if they knew we were listening for them, and finally there were... - #8
Save:Beelzebub's Tales to His Grandson by G.I. Gurdjieff is a profound exploration of conscious development, presented as an allegorical teaching set within a sprawling science fiction epic. The book delves into the history of mankind and the essential elements of Gurdjieff's system of conscious development. Through the narrative, Gurdjieff conveys the idea that humanity has failed to realize its potential independence, which can only be achieved through the recovery of a lost science - the science of soul development.
- #9
Save:Sarum: The Novel of England by Edward Rutherfurd is a sweeping historical novel that spans thousands of years, starting from the Ice Age almost 10,000 years ago to the late 20th century. The book follows the history of the area surrounding Salisbury, England, focusing on the lives of multiple families across generations. Readers praised the mix of real historical facts and fiction, as Rutherfurd weaves a fine fiction tale around historical events, bringing British history to life. The novel covers significant landmarks such as Stonehenge, Old Sarum, and Salisbury Cathedral, providing a detailed account of the region's history.
The book is known for its detailed exploration of English history, tracing the turbulent story of the entire course of English history from its beginnings in the Ice Age to the present day. It offers a fascinating insight into the lives of people living in the Salisbury area throughout different time periods, from hunter-gatherer times to modern-day England. Despite its length and complexity, readers found the book to be an absorbing and insightful read that delves deep into the local history surrounding Stonehenge and Salisbury.
But having misread the scribal hand, men found the name pleasing; and the term Sarum has been used in writing and probably in speech for seven hundred and fifty years, to describe the town, the dioces... 'Loaded: A Disarming History of the Second Amendment' by Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz delves into the dark history of the Second Amendment, exploring its ties to racism, colonization, and violence in America. Through a well-researched narrative, the author uncovers the sinister origins of the gun culture in the United States, linking it to the exploitation of native Americans, black Americans, and immigrants. Dunbar-Ortiz challenges the conventional understanding of the Second Amendment, arguing that it was founded on racist principles to maintain control and promote white supremacy.
Dunbar-Ortiz's writing style in 'Loaded' is described as compelling and eye-opening, providing a spellbinding account of the nefarious history behind the Second Amendment. is commended for its thorough research and factual information, shedding light on the complex and violent past of America. Despite some criticisms of the thesis falling apart in certain sections, the book is praised for its detailed exploration of how America's obsession with guns is intertwined with its history of conquest, slavery, and violence.
The Anglo-American settlers’ violent break from Britain in the late eighteenth century paralleled their search-and-destroy annihilation of Delaware, Cherokee, Muskogee, Seneca, Mohawk, Shawnee, and Mi...
