Listen to a sample
A Brief Natural History of Civilization
- Author
- Mark Bertness
- Narrator
- Stephen Bowlby
- Publisher
- Blackstone Publishing
- Publish Date
- 21 July 2020
- Run Time
- 9 hours 9 minutes
- Format
- Audiobook
What to expect
A compelling evolutionary narrative that reveals how human civilization follows the same ecological rules that shape all life on Earth
Offering a bold new understanding of who we are, where we came from, and where we are going, noted ecologist Mark Bertness argues that human beings and their civilization are the products of the same self-organization, evolutionary adaptation, and natural selection processes that have created all other life on Earth. Bertness follows the evolutionary process from the primordial soup of two billion years ago through today, exploring the ways opposing forces of competition and cooperation have led to current assemblages of people, animals, and plants.
Bertness’s thoughtful examination of human history from the perspective of natural history provides new insights about why and how civilization developed as it has and explores how humans, as a species, might have to consciously overrule our evolutionary drivers to survive future challenges.
Critics Review
-
“A Brief Natural History of Civilization uses the science of natural history to frame the peril and promise of our times.”
Paul Ewald, author of Plague Time: The New Germ Theory of Disease
-
“Starting from ecological and evolutionary principles that transcend our own species, Mark Bertness offers a new perspective on the rise of human civilization.”
Judith Bronstein, editor of Mutualism
-
“Understanding the ‘big picture’ of the development and trajectory of human civilization is vital as a global society faces collapse. Bertness’s book provides a brilliant short course on what should be the central topic for public education today.”
Paul R. Ehrlich, author of Human Natures
-
“A remarkable, far-ranging synthesis with something new and eye-opening on just about every page. Mark Bertness points to the powerful force of cooperation as our best hope.”
James Gustave Speth, author of America the Possible: Manifesto for a New Economy
See more reviews See fewer reviews
-
“Who am I? This book weaves a powerful argument that our sense of self and our culture is very tightly coupled to our sense of place in nature. A remarkable synthesis!”
Paul Dayton, Scripps Institution of Oceanography
-
“This book will change your understanding of what it means to be human.”
Robert M. Pringle, Princeton University
User Reviews
No reviews yet.
Details
- Author
- Mark Bertness
- Narrator
- Stephen Bowlby
- Duration
- 9 hours 9 minutes
- Release Date
- 21 July 2020
- ISBN
- 9781094131900
- Format
- Audiobook
- Publisher
- Blackstone Publishing
- Genre
- Social and cultural history
Synopsis
A compelling evolutionary narrative that reveals how human civilization follows the same ecological rules that shape all life on EarthOffering a bold new understanding of who we are, where we came from, and where we are going, noted ecologist Mark Bertness argues that human beings and their civilization are the products of the same self-organization, evolutionary adaptation, and natural selection processes that have created all other life on Earth. Bertness follows the evolutionary process from the primordial soup of two billion years ago through today, exploring the ways opposing forces of competition and cooperation have led to current assemblages of people, animals, and plants.Bertness’s thoughtful examination of human history from the perspective of natural history provides new insights about why and how civilization developed as it has and explores how humans, as a species, might have to consciously overrule our evolutionary drivers to survive future challenges.
About xigxag
xigxag is an independent, UK-based audiobook platform and the UK's only B Corp certified audiobook company. We offer nearly 150,000 audiobooks, all with professional human narration. No AI-generated voices. xigxag is rated an Ethical Consumer Best Buy for audiobooks and a top-rated ethical bookshop.
There is no subscription. You buy the audiobooks you want, you own them permanently, and prices start at $13.95. The more you listen over the year, the less you pay per book, and there is always a selection in Listen for Less from $7.95. You can also send audiobooks as gifts using our audiobook gift cards or in-app gifting.
Every audiobook on xigxag has honest reviews covering both the book and the narration, and our community features make it easy to share what you are listening to, discover what others recommend, and find your next listen.
Download or stream on iOS, Android, or in your browser. Browse the full catalogue at xigxag.co.uk.