ABOUT THIS BOOK

This is the history of the world, from the origins of the Cosmos to the present day, seen through three major narratives: work, sex and power - the forces that have done more than any other to shape the world as we see it now.

It expertly explores the foundations of our developing society by showing how these grand themes have recurred throughout the various phases of global history. From communities of Palaeolithic hunter-gatherers, through feudalism and onto the capitalistic machine-civilisation of recent centuries, Willie Thompson takes us on a journey that is fundamentally opposed to mainstream histories which concentrate on monarchs, politicians and military commanders.

At the centre of this book lies the interaction between humans and their environment. By exploring history in this way, it reveals a simple yet powerful materialist understanding of how we got to where we are today, and opens a door to a different reading of our world.

AUTHOR BIOGRAPHY

Willie Thompson was Professor of Contemporary History at Glasgow Caledonian University. His books include Work, Sex and Power (Pluto, 2015), Ideologies in the Age of Extremes (Pluto, 2011) and What Happened to History? (Pluto, 2000). He is currently vice-president of the Socialist History Society.

REVIEWS

“An extremely ambitious attempt to explain the history of humankind. Thompson’s historical materialism provides him with a reliable compass on his journey and the end result is nothing short of inspiring.”

— Stefan Berger, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Germany

“Willie Thompson has written an engaging and concise world history that is both analytically ambitious and lucidly argued. It's an excellent discussion of many complex questions which should be of interest to both undergraduates and the general reader.”

— John Callaghan, University of Salford

“Willie Thompson reminds us all of the power of a master narrative written in the now all-too-rare tradition of all-encompassing erudition that impresses and inspires, informs and provokes. A powerful book derived from decades of historical research and reflection on the essence of what it is to be human. A must-read.”

— Dianne Kirby, University of Ulster

“The history of civilization has enjoyed a renaissance of late. Historians grapple with civilizations’ clashes, their defense and their erosion. This book is, therefore, a welcome addition to the history of change in the global human condition and situation. By tracing and analyzing human relationships within the framework of work, sex and power, civilization’s ‘fabric of history’ unfolds to illustrate clearly the rise and fall of different forms of social, political and economic organization.”

— KAJ McLay, Canterbury Christ Church University

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction
1 Cosmos, Creatures and Consciousness
2 Cooperation, Stone, Bone and Dispersal
3 The Neolithic Transformation: Settlement, Wealth and Social Differentiation
4 Gender Differentiation, Sex and Kindred
5 Status Differentiation, Hierarchy and Hegemony
6 Exploitation and Violence
7 Ethics, Ambitions, Crime and Punishment
8 The Origins of Belief in the Supernatural and the First Salvation Religions
9 Monotheism
10 Imagined Communities: Signs and Symbols, Identities and Nations
11 A Broad View – The Rhythm of Empire
12 Human Reality in Transformation: Modern Population, Migration and Labour
13 Inhuman Powers - Capitalism, Industry and their Consequences
14 No Such Thing as a Free Lunch: Trade-Offs, Opportunity Cost and the Dynamic of Unintended Consequences
15 Social Critique
16 Socialism: its Promise and Paradox
17 Desperately Seeking Significance
Notes
Index