Power traces how humans have come to overpower the earth's natural systems and to oppress one another, with catastrophic consequences. We must rapidly re-learn the lessons of power self-limitation rooted in evolution and human history if we are to stave off ecological and social collapse and enjoy a thriving future.
Authors
- ISBN
- 9781550927610 1550927612
- Pages
- 416
- Published in
- Gabriola Island, CA
Table of Contents
- Front Cover 1
- Praise 2
- Title Page 6
- Rights Page 7
- Dedication 8
- Contents 10
- List of Figures 13
- List of Sidebars 14
- Acknowledgments 16
- Introduction 18
- Chapter 1. Power in Nature: From Mitochondria to Emotion and Deception 32
- Chapter 2. Power in the Pleistocene: On Spears, Fires, Furs, Words, and Flutes — And Why Men Are Such Power-Hogs . . 74
- 3. Power in the Holocene: The Rise of Social Inequality 114
- Chapter 4. Power in the Anthropocene: The Wonderful World of Fossil Fuels 176
- Chapter 5. Overpowered: The Fine Mess We’ve Gotten Ourselves Into 220
- Chapter 6. Optimum Power: Sustaining Our Power Over Time 274
- Chapter 7. The Future of Power: Learning to Live Happily Within Limits 320
- Notes 378
- Index 406
- About the Author 416
- About New Society Publishers 417
- A Guide to Responsible Digital Reading 418