In his New York Times-bestselling book, the author explores how the physical world has influenced the course of human history. While we often focus on the actions of leaders, population movements, and wars, the earth itself has played a crucial role in shaping our destiny. The wobbling of our planet has caused changes in climate, leading to the shift from nomadic lifestyles to agricultural societies. The rugged terrain of mountains in Greece, for example, helped to foster the development of democracy. As time went on, atmospheric circulation patterns influenced the course of global exploration, colonization, and trade. Even in modern times, voting patterns in the south-east United States can be traced back to ancient sediments from a prehistoric sea.

The author delves into how everything from the cultivation of crops to the formation of nation-states has been influenced by the earth beneath our feet. The book, Origins, showcases the profound impact of the planet on human civilizations throughout history.

product information:

Attribute

Value

publisher

‎Basic Books (May 14, 2019)

language

‎English

hardcover

‎352 pages

isbn_10

‎1541617908

isbn_13

‎978-1541617902

item_weight

‎1.2 pounds

dimensions

‎6.4 x 1.35 x 9.55 inches

best_sellers_rank

#303,768 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
#63 in Physical Anthropology (Books)
#131 in Historical Geography
#1,102 in History & Philosophy of Science (Books)

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