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benkubacki's review against another edition
challenging
hopeful
informative
reflective
5.0
This book has influenced me in the years since I began reading it, working behind the scenes on my understanding of human society. Wrapping up, I know it will continue to shape my thinking on the possibilities of our social organization. Most importantly, it brought into sharp contrast the deeply ingrained myth (that I can feel in my bones) of social evolution and the origins of inequality, namely that with increasing complexity and industrial "civilization", inequality is inevitable; that it's impossible to have a large-scale society without inequality and domination. This book untangled that myth and brought back to the center that crucial historical principle: That, in fact, nothing is inevitable.
jwolflink3's review against another edition
challenging
hopeful
informative
medium-paced
4.0
Although evidence is sometimes stretched to near-transparency, the book remains an indispensable guide to how the past 40 years of prehistory studies demolishes near century-old stereotypes about human nature, which sadly remain dominant.
andrewisreading's review against another edition
5.0
So... Inspirational! Turns out, all people, not just those from "modern Western civilization" have agency and political self-awareness. Wow!
solisaureus's review against another edition
challenging
hopeful
informative
reflective
slow-paced
5.0
lovelybookshelf's review against another edition
challenging
hopeful
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
4.5
Graeber and Wengrow thoroughly myth-bust the idea that societies based on autonomy and decentralization haven't and can't work (or scale up). There are so many examples, you're left with a feeling of hope.