Scan barcode
A review by cornynat
A Short History of Humanity: A New History of Old Europe by Johannes Krause, Thomas Trappe
3.0
A pretty interesting history of Europe in the context of relatively recent archaeogenetics findings... and a good reminder that humans have always adapted and migrated, etc., and that there's nothing indicating paleo life (as a popular example) is the way humans are "meant" to live. Plus, the cover is pretty :) However sometimes the amount of detail given felt too shallow, and the simplifications too simple, but at least it didn't drag.
That being said, it still took me a few months to finish - with the book being written in short, easily digestible sections, I got in the habit of setting it aside pretty often at the breaks; but it's a good book for doing that with. Each chapter has a fun title and is precluded with a helpful 2-page map and intriguing heading that makes you want to read on. Examples:
"CH 2, Persistent Immigrants - Everybody's doing it with everybody else. Archaic humans make themselves understood, somehow. Modern humans conquer Europe. No chance of permanent residence. Everybody goes South for the Winter. An unexpected reunion. The hunters have blue eyes."
"CH 5, Single Young Men - What happened to the indigenous Americans? The West collapses; newcomers arrive from the East. They're strong, and they brought horses. Drink more milk!"
That being said, it still took me a few months to finish - with the book being written in short, easily digestible sections, I got in the habit of setting it aside pretty often at the breaks; but it's a good book for doing that with. Each chapter has a fun title and is precluded with a helpful 2-page map and intriguing heading that makes you want to read on. Examples:
"CH 2, Persistent Immigrants - Everybody's doing it with everybody else. Archaic humans make themselves understood, somehow. Modern humans conquer Europe. No chance of permanent residence. Everybody goes South for the Winter. An unexpected reunion. The hunters have blue eyes."
"CH 5, Single Young Men - What happened to the indigenous Americans? The West collapses; newcomers arrive from the East. They're strong, and they brought horses. Drink more milk!"