• Author: Lewis Dartnell
  • Date: 2018
  • Publisher: Penguin, Random House
  • ISBN: 978-1847924-35-3

Content: A history of humanity told from the perspective of the natural world, how we are shaped and constrained by the natural environment. Covers continental drift, influence of the seas, building materials, use of metals, trade routes and winds, energy.

"Intelligence ...is the evolutionary solution to the problem of an environment that shifts faster then natural selection can adapt the body" p 19 - we better hope this is right.

Corroboration for both Scott op.cit. and Sapolsky op.cit. "High-Density, settled populations supported by farming soon developed highly stratified social structures, resulting in reduv=ced equality and greater disparity in wealth and freedom compared to hunter-gatherers" p 70.

Relevance: Corroborates my understanding of the emergent nature of our behaviour.