An enthralling and profoundly humane book that every civilized person
should read.
--The Wall Street Journal
The blockbuster New York Times bestseller and the companion volume to
the wildly popular radio series
When did people first start to wear jewelry or play music? When were
cows domesticated, and why do we feed their milk to our children? Where
were the first cities, and what made them succeed? Who developed
math--or invented money?
The history of humanity is one of invention and innovation, as we have
continually created new things to use, to admire, or leave our mark on
the world. In this groundbreaking book, Neil MacGregor turns to objects
that previous civilizations have left behind to paint a portrait of
mankind's evolution, focusing on unexpected turning points.
Beginning with a chopping tool from the Olduvai Gorge in Africa and
ending with a recent innovation that is transforming the way we power
our world, he urges us to see history as a kaleidoscope--shifting,
interconnected, constantly surprising. A landmark bestseller, A History
of the World in 100 Objects is one f the most unusual and engrossing
history books to be published in years.
"None could have imagined quite how the radio series would permeate the
national consciousness. Well over 12.5 million podcasts have been
downloaded since the first programme and more than 550 museums around
Britain have launched similar series featuring local history. . . .
MacGregor's voice comes through as distinctively as it did on radio and
his arguments about the interconnectedness of disparate societies
through the ages are all the stronger for the detail afforded by extra
space. A book to savour and start over."
--The Economist
