Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind
Yuval Noah Harari
Explore the epic history of humankind, from the Stone Age to the present day. Yuval Noah Harari examines how Homo sapiens came to dominate the world, delving into the cognitive, agricultural, and scientific revolutions that shaped our species and its impact on the planet. A thought-provoking journey through the human story.
Foragers, Farmers, and Fossil Fuels
Ian Morris
An ambitious account of how certain "brute material forces" limit and help determine the "culture, values, and beliefs," including the moral codes, that humans have adopted over the last 20,000 years. It explores how modes of energy capture shape human values via multilevel selection.
Genghis Khan and the Making of the Modern World
Jack Weatherford
An epic narrative that unveils the profound influence of Genghis Khan and the Mongol Empire on the shaping of the modern world, challenging conventional perceptions and revealing their surprising contributions to global civilization.
Fifth Sun
Camilla Townsend
A compelling new history of the Aztecs, told through their own voices. Drawing on rarely-consulted indigenous accounts, Camilla Townsend paints a vivid portrait of the Nahua people, from their mythical origins to their complex society and their struggle for survival after the Spanish conquest. Discover the real Aztecs, far more nuanced and resilient than the bloodthirsty stereotypes.
The Square and the Tower
Niall Ferguson
A fascinating exploration of the age-old conflict between networks and hierarchies, and how this tension has shaped the course of history from the Illuminati to the present day. Discover how networks challenge established power structures and the implications for our increasingly interconnected world.