Overview

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.

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9780745333410

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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, Professor of Social History and Director of the Institute for Social Movements at Ruhr-Universitat Bochum, Germany 'An engaging and concise world history that is both analytically ambitious and lucidly argued' -- John Callaghan, Professor of Politics, University of Salford '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, Reader in International History, University of Ulster 'A welcome addition to the history of change in the global human condition and situation' -- Dr KAJ McLay, Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Humanities, Canterbury Christ Church University

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, Reader in International History, University of Ulster

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, Reader in International History, University of Ulster The history of civilisation has enjoyed a renaissance of late. Historians grapple with civilisations' clashes, their defence 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 analysing human relationships within the framework of work, sex and power, civilisation's 'fabric of history' unfolds to illustrate clearly the rise and fall of different forms of social, political and economic organisation. -- Dr KAJ McLay, Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Humanities, Canterbury Christ Church University This is an extremely ambitious attempt to explain in one volume and ranging widely over space and time the history of humankind by following the histories of work, of reproduction and of power. Thompson's historical materialism that is rooted in Western Marxist traditions provides him with a reliable compass on his journey and the end result is nothing short of inspiring. Readers might widely disagree with some of Thompson's arguments or, indeed, with all of them, but no one will lay this book down without having to think through some of the key questions that have been at the heart of historical debates during past centuries and on all continents. -- Stefan Berger, Professor of Social History and Director of the Institute for Social Movements at Ruhr-Universitat Bochum, Germany

This is an extremely ambitious attempt to explain in one volume and ranging widely over space and time the history of humankind by following the histories of work, of reproduction and of power. Thompson's historical materialism that is rooted in Western Marxist traditions provides him with a reliable compass on his journey and the end result is nothing short of inspiring. Readers might widely disagree with some of Thompson's arguments or, indeed, with all of them, but no one will lay this book down without having to think through some of the key questions that have been at the heart of historical debates during past centuries and on all continents. -- Stefan Berger, Professor of Social History and Director of the Institute for Social Movements at Ruhr-Universitat 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, Professor of Politics, 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, Reader in International History, University of Ulster The history of civilisation has enjoyed a renaissance of late. Historians grapple with civilisations' clashes, their defence 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 analysing human relationships within the framework of work, sex and power, civilisation's 'fabric of history' unfolds to illustrate clearly the rise and fall of different forms of social, political and economic organisation. -- Dr KAJ McLay, Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Humanities, Canterbury Christ Church University

Author Information

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

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