Click & Collect
from 2 Hours*
Last Christmas
delivery dates
Free UK Standard Delivery On all orders over £25 Order in time for Christmas 18th December by 1pm 2nd Class |
20th December by 1pm 1st Class
Free Click & Collect From 2 hours after you order*
Origins: How the Earth Shaped Human History (Paperback)
  • Origins: How the Earth Shaped Human History (Paperback)
zoom

Origins: How the Earth Shaped Human History (Paperback)

(author)
3 Reviews Sign in to write a review
£10.99
Paperback 352 Pages
Published: 06/02/2020
  • 10+ in stock

Usually dispatched within 2-3 working days

  • This item has been added to your basket

Read the Sunday Times bestseller that reveals the Earth’s awesome impact on the shape of human civilisations.

‘Stands comparison with Sapiens… Thrilling’ Sunday Times

Human evolution in East Africa was driven by geological forces. Ancient Greece developed democracy because of its mountainous terrain. Voting behaviour in the United States today follows the bed of an ancient sea.

Professor Lewis Dartnell takes us on an astonishing journey into our planet’s past to tell the ultimate origin story. Blending science and history, Origins reveals the Earth’s awesome impact on the shape of human civilisations – and helps us to see the challenges and opportunities of the future.

‘A sweeping, brilliant overview of the history not only of our species but of the world’
Peter Frankopan, author of The Silk Roads

‘Absorbing… A first-class read – and an important one’
Observer

Publisher: Vintage Publishing
ISBN: 9781784705435
Number of pages: 352
Weight: 303 g
Dimensions: 198 x 129 x 25 mm


MEDIA REVIEWS
A sweeping, brilliant overview of the history not only of our species but of the world. Whether discussing the formation of continents or the role that climate (and climate change) has had on human migration, Lewis Dartnell has a rare talent in being able to see the big picture – and explaining why it matters. Origins by Lewis Dartnell stands comparison with Yuval Noah Harari’s SapiensA thrilling piece of Big History ‘Extraordinary… Origins is one of those rare books that dissolves mystery through the steady application of sublime lucidity. While reading it, I kept thinking: “Oh, that makes sense…” … Dartnell understands geology, geography, anthropology, physics, chemistry, biology, astronomy and history. That’s quite an achievement, but what makes him special is the way he communicates the interconnectedness of these disciplines in a clear, logical and entertaining way…Superb. Dartnell has an easy, light touch that mixes well with his considerable knowledge. The result is a first-class read – and an important one Dartnell has found the perfect blend of science and history. This is a book that will not only challenge our preconceptions about the past, but should make us think very carefully about humanity’s future Origins, snappily written, is a fast read … fascinating Dartnell’s story is beautifully written and organized. His infectious curiosity and enthusiasm tug the reader from page to page, synthesizing geology, oceanography, meteorology, geography, palaeontology, archaeology and political history in a manner that recalls Jared Diamond’s classic 1997 book Guns, Germs, and Steel Dartnell is an eloquent, conversational guide to these daunting aeons of time What a treat to see history through the eyes of an astrobiologist! Our history was shaped profoundly by the laying down of iron beds two billion years ago, by the tectonic forces that ripped open the African rift valley, by the slow cooling of the earth that began 50 million years ago, and by the evolution of grasses! Lewis Dartnell’s absorbing new book shows, with many vivid examples, how deeply human history is embedded in the history of planet earth An original and timely way of looking at human history through the materials and natural resources that our species has employed to such effect. It should be read by everyone who ponders how long exploitation can continue on a finite planet. Endlessly enthralling, Lewis Dartnell explains why the history of humanity, and of human cultures, both take dictation from the deeper history of Earth herself - from broad generalities to surprisingly specific details. An entertaining and informative essay on contingency - and worthy successor to the writing of Stephen Jay Gould. Origins’ strength lies in the way it manages to conjure a tight, linear narrative from what would otherwise be an overwhelming wealth of insights, a feat aided by Dartnell’s soothing, conversational writing style… a captivating and enriching read, with as much to recommend it to those with an interest in geophysics as to students of human history and civilization. Origins is like a well-crafted jigsaw puzzle. Each piece fits together beautifully to build up a complete picture of the deep connections we have to the blue marble we call home… a thoroughly satisfying read for anyone interested in how our planet drove our history, and how everything is connected Big history is back… Origins is a bravura survey that captures our global zeitgeist and emphasises the limits of short-term historical and political thinking A thrilling slice of big history and as good as Harari Enthusiastic and brimful of facts… Dartnell’s great achievement is that while he crams in a great deal, the reader doesn’t feel rushed. It moves from the dawn of agriculture, to ancient Mesopotamian merchants to the coal-fields of England without a bump Instead of looking at what we have done to the Earth, he examines what it has done to us, interweaving the physical and social sciences in a clear, logical and joyously entertaining way… [a] wonderful book

You may also be interested in...

Our Mathematical Universe
Added to basket
The Brain That Changes Itself
Added to basket
Chaos
Added to basket
£10.99
Paperback
A Little History of Science
Added to basket
Cosmos
Added to basket
£12.99
Paperback
Fermat’s Last Theorem
Added to basket
Seventeen Equations that Changed the World
Added to basket
The Stargazer's Handbook
Added to basket
How to Teach Quantum Physics to Your Dog
Added to basket
Why Does E=mc2?
Added to basket
£12.99
Paperback
Bad Science
Added to basket
£10.99
Paperback
The Things that Nobody Knows
Added to basket
Physics and Philosophy
Added to basket
In Defence of Dogs
Added to basket
£10.99
Paperback
Periodic Tales
Added to basket

“Origins”

Gives a great overview of how human civilisations were formed. From climate, tectonics, geography, agriculture, animal availability, to advances in technology. It discusses why different civilisations were formed in... More

Paperback edition
Helpful? Upvote 41

“Fascinating!”

Lewis Dartnell’s mission is to popularise science and Origins: How the Earth Made Us is a good example of popular science done right, enthralling big-picture and cross-discipline research that condenses the very,... More

Paperback edition
Helpful? Upvote 26

“Incredible”

If you like Sapiens you will love this! Fascinating learning about the link between our species and the evolution of the earth.

Paperback edition
Helpful? Upvote 4

Please sign in to write a review

Your review has been submitted successfully.

env: aptum
branch: