A Brief Natural History of Civilizati..., Mark Bertness
A Brief Natural History of Civilizati..., Mark Bertness
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A Brief Natural History of Civilization
Why a Balance Between Cooperation and Competition Is Vital to Humanity

Author: Mark Bertness

Narrator: Stephen Bowlby

Unabridged: 9 hr 9 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 04/21/2020

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 Mark Bertness

Mark Bertness is Robert P. Brown Professor of Biology emeritus at Brown University. A widely published and highly regarded marine ecologist, he is best known for his work on the community ecology of marine shorelines.

About Stephen Bowlby

Stephen Bowlby, a lifelong performer and filmmaker, loves bringing ideas to life in ways that entertain, inviting both action and reflection. With a career in writing, directing, and film editing, he infuses his narration with a strong sense of story.

Reviews

Goodreads review by Cody

If you were to ask any average person on the sidewalk the difference between plants and animals, the list of answers is obvious. An interesting truth, however, is that “self-replicating life evolved only once on our planet, because all organisms, from viruses and bacteria to humans, are designed acc......more

Goodreads review by عمر

كتاب رائع يستحق القراءة… سرد جميل لتاريخ الحضارة مروراً بالتحديات الصحية والبيئية التي خلقتها ماكينة التطور ويد الإنسان والتي علينا اليوم مواجهتها والتعامل معها من أجل الأجيال القادمة!......more

Goodreads review by Emily

Super fascinating and thought-provoking book! Taking a natural history perspective to human civilization is incredibly novel. Plus, I appreciate the focus on positive interactions/cooperation in natural and human systems. I don’t think positive interactions get enough attention in the fields of ecol......more

Goodreads review by MARK

While the best-seller lists currently are dominated by the topics of race and COVID-19, this might be an excellent time escape those obsessions and look for a wider perspective on our deepening human dilemmas. Dr. Mark Bertness provides such an escape by digging deep into reality...our natural histo......more

Goodreads review by Mike

An excellent topic addressed wonderfully by the author, who has a fantastic writing style. I just wish he would have gone more in-depth into the cooperative relationships and their positive outcomes. This book could have easily been twice as long and still very enjoyable, then it would be at least 4......more

Quotes

“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

“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

“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

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