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Books matching: prehistory

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  1. #1

    The Clan of the Cave Bear - Earth's Children by Jean Marie Auel
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    'The Clan of the Cave Bear' by Jean Marie Auel is a historical fiction novel set in prehistoric times, following the story of a young orphaned girl named Ayla who is taken in by a clan of Neanderthals. The book delves into the interactions between different human species, the challenges faced by Ayla as she navigates her new environment, and the cultural details of life in a prehistoric setting. Auel's writing style is described as vivid and detailed, painting a rich picture of the Ice Age world and the characters' experiences.

    The plot of 'The Clan of the Cave Bear' revolves around Ayla's journey of adaptation, independence, and survival, as she overcomes obstacles and prejudice in a society different from her own. The book explores themes of resilience, cultural clashes, and the complexities of early human interactions, all while providing a glimpse into the daily lives and struggles of individuals during a time of great change and evolution.

    The naked child ran out of the hide-covered lean-to toward the rocky beach at the bend in the small river. It didn’t occur to her to look back. Nothing in her experience ever gave her reason to doubt ...

  2. #2

    Shaman by Kim Stanley Robinson
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    'Shaman' by Kim Stanley Robinson is a novel set during the Ice Age, following the journey of Loon, a young man destined to become the tribe's Shaman. The story delves into the harsh realities of survival in a primitive era, detailing Loon's initiation rites, his struggles, relationships, and the challenges he faces in a world where Neanderthals are not just enemies but fellow travelers. The narrative provides insights into the daily life, rituals, and beliefs of early humans, while also exploring themes of human resilience, survival, and the importance of stories and myths in shaping our history.

    The writing style of 'Shaman' is described as detailed and immersive, with a focus on the protagonist's perspective that shifts occasionally to other entities like the wind or animals, providing a magical sense to the world. The novel captures the essence of prehistoric life through vivid descriptions of the environment, social interactions, and the characters' experiences, offering a realistic portrayal of survival in a challenging and unforgiving era.

    This is what Thorn would say whenever he was doing something bad himself. Object to whatever it was and he would pull up his long gray braids to show the mangled red nubbins surrounding his earholes. ...

  3. #3

    The Dawn of Everything by David Graeber, David Wengrow
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    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...

  4. #4

    The Ends of the World: Volcanic Apocalypses, Lethal Oceans, and Our Quest to Understand Earth's Past Mass Extinctions by Peter Brannen
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    "The Ends of the World: Volcanic Apocalypses, Lethal Oceans, and Our Quest to Understand Earth's Past Mass Extinctions" by Peter Brannen is a detailed exploration of the Earth's history through the lens of mass extinctions. Brannen connects past environmental cataclysms with our current climate crisis, highlighting the role of carbon dioxide in driving these events. The book delves into the causes and outcomes of major extinctions, offering a thought-provoking narrative that intertwines scientific evidence with personal reflections on humanity's impact on the planet.

    Brannen's writing style in "The Ends of the World" has been described as accessible and engaging, presenting complex scientific concepts in a readable manner. The book offers a travelogue-like experience through the Earth's prehistory, weaving together the stories of past extinctions with insights into our future. While exploring the five great extinction events, Brannen's narrative evokes a sense of urgency regarding the consequences of climate change and the need for environmental stewardship.

    I’m from Boston. Conveniently, this means it’s only a short commuter ferry ride across the harbor to see what might be some of the earliest fossils of large, complex life in the history of the planet....

  5. 'Britain BC: Life in Britain and Ireland Before the Romans' by Francis Pryor is a comprehensive exploration of prehistoric Britain, focusing on the Paleolithic, Mesolithic, and Neolithic eras. Pryor's writing style is described as engaging, informative, and filled with anecdotes that bring the ancient past to life. He delves into the daily lives, communication methods, and cultural practices of our ancestors, shedding light on how they lived and interacted with their environment.

    Pryor's approach to British prehistory is lauded for its accessibility and depth, offering insights into the roots of modern British culture, religious values, and ethical ideals. He challenges traditional narratives of invasions by emphasizing evolution in place and the influence of external factors. The book also highlights the importance of archaeological sites in understanding the similarities and connections between people across different time periods and locations.

    OUR STORY WILL BE about people and time. Human prehistory is such a vast topic that it has proved necessary to divide it up into a series of shorter, more manageable periods. Their origins lie in the ...

  6. 'Before the Dawn: Recovering the Lost History of Our Ancestors' by Nicholas Wade is a comprehensive exploration of human prehistory, tracing our origins from the time humans split from chimpanzees to key milestones in modern human development such as language development, migration out of Africa, settlements, and agriculture. The book delves into various academic disciplines including genetics, archaeology, linguistics, and paleontology to provide a detailed narrative of human evolution. Wade's writing style is described as accessible, scholarly, and engaging, making complex scientific concepts understandable for a general audience.

    It has often and confidently been asserted, that man’s origin can never be known: but ignorance more frequently begets confidence than does knowledge: it is those who know little, and not those who kn...

  7. 'Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies' by Jared Diamond explores the impact of geography and environmental factors on the development of different human cultures throughout history. Diamond delves into topics such as the rise of civilizations, the spread of agriculture, technological advancements, and the interactions between different societies. The writing style of the book is described as informative and thought-provoking, although some readers find it lengthy and repetitive at times. Diamond presents a theory that emphasizes the role of luck and geographic circumstances rather than biological superiority in shaping the course of human history.

    ASUITABLE STARTING POINT FROM WHICH TO COMPARE historical developments on the different continents is around 11,000 B.C.* This date corresponds approximately to the beginnings of village life in a few...

  8. #8

    The Inheritors by William Golding
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    'The Inheritors' by William Golding is a novel that delves into the encounter between a family of Neanderthals and a tribe of modern humans. The story is narrated from the perspective of the Neanderthals, showcasing their struggle to comprehend the advanced tools and behaviors of the Homo Sapiens. The writing style is described as imaginative, evocative, and haunting, capturing the clash between two different worlds and peoples in a lyrical manner.

    The book explores themes of survival, struggle, and the gradual extinction of the Neanderthals as they face the superior intellect and capabilities of the Homo Sapiens. Golding's portrayal of the Neanderthals as innocent and noble beings living in harmony with nature contrasts sharply with the depiction of the Homo Sapiens as more advanced but depraved individuals. The narrative unfolds through the eyes of the Neanderthals, providing a unique perspective on the intersection of these two distinct cultures.

    Lok was running as fast as he could. His head was down and he carried his thorn bush horizontally for balance and smacked the drifts of vivid buds aside with his free hand. Liku rode him laughing, one...

  9. The book challenges the standard model of prehistoric human sexuality, arguing that our natural state is one of promiscuity rather than monogamy. It explores the idea that early humans lived in small, tightly bonded communities where everyone cared for and raised children together. The authors critique the modern societal norms of monogamy, suggesting that it goes against our biological and evolutionary nature.

    Gentry had to be pitied. They had so few advantages in respect of love. They could say they longed for a kiss from a bouncy wife in a vicarage garden. They couldn’t say she roared under me and clutche...

  10. #10

    Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind by Yuval Noah Harari
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    'Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind' by Yuval Noah Harari is a thought-provoking exploration of the history of humans, spanning from our early caveman days to modern times. The author delves into the three major revolutions of cognitive, agricultural, and scientific advancements, shedding light on human myths and societal constructs like capitalism and free market. Through insightful discussions, the book examines the evolution of mankind, from the domestication of fire to the mastery of our surroundings, while also speculating on the future impact of humans on life on earth.

    About 300,000 years after their appearance, matter and energy started to coalesce into complex structures, called atoms, which then combined into molecules. The story of atoms, molecules and their int...

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