History Books

If you've ever been fascinated by the distant relatives of modern humans, "The Neanderthal's Necklace" offers a richly detailed portal into the lives of these ancient beings. Juan Luis de Arsuaga brings a blend of scientific rigor and narrative charm, providing a vivid picture of Neanderthals and sparking intriguing questions about our own place in the evolutionary tale. This book is a patchwork of paleontology and heartfelt curiosity that grips you with a quest to understand our oldest ancestors.

"The Sixth Extinction" is a wake-up call wrapped in compelling storytelling. Elizabeth Kolbert doesn't just state facts; she takes you on a journey through the annals of natural history and the front lines of extinction. Reading it, you'll gain an appreciation for the interconnectedness of life and our profound impact on it—perhaps, it'll inspire thought on the kind of legacy we want to leave.

If you've ever been curious about how humanity and Earth have shaped each other, Colin Tudge's "The Time Before History" will feed your fascination. His meticulous blending of various scientific disciplines offers a cohesive journey through our planet's and species' past, making complex topics accessible. It's like a time machine that enriches your understanding of the present.

"For those fascinated by the mysteries of ancient history and evolution, Stephen Jay Gould's 'Wonderful Life' presents a captivating exploration of the Burgess Shale quarry and the strange creatures that once lived within it. With his vivid storytelling and detailed analysis, Gould paints a vivid picture of the overlooked wonders of the natural world, and provides a thought-provoking perspective on the nature of history and evolution."

"Human Devolution provides an in-depth analysis of the Vedic perspective on human origins and consciousness. The book is ideal for readers interested in alternative theories to Darwin's evolution. Cremo’s meticulous research and documentation prove insightful and thought-provoking as he takes readers on a fascinating tour of time and space, exploring a wide range of enigmas and theories related to the origins of humanity. Readers will appreciate the use of state-of-the-art consciousness studies and cutting-edge research to explain how we devolved from pure consciousness to our earthly realm. Overall, this book offers a fresh perspective on human origins that is both engaging and enlightening."

"This book is a fascinating analysis of how nature's habits are formed and why they persist, thanks to morphic resonance. Rupert Sheldrake provides a fresh perspective on how an organism's past experiences can influence its present and future behaviors. This is a must-read for anyone interested in gaining a deeper understanding of our natural world."

If you're fascinated by what makes us uniquely human and yet so similar, "Jacob's Ladder" by Henry Gee is right up your alley. Gee explores the complexities of our genetic code with clarity, presenting the science of genomics in a way that's about understanding humanity, not just disease or individual traits. As you delve into the world of genes and their interactions, you'll find intriguing insights into both our development and what it means to be human.

A powerful story of war in our time, of love of country, the experience of tragedy, and a platoon at the center of it all. This is a story that starts off close and goes very big. The initial part of the story might sound familiar as it is about a platoon of mostly nineteen-year-old boys sent to Afghanistan, and an experience that ends abruptly in catastrophe. Their part of the story is inexorably linked to those soldiers and never comprehensively reported before: the U.S. Department of Defense’s quest to build the world’s most powerful biometrics database, with the ability to identify, monitor, catalog, and police people all over the world. First Platoon is an American saga that illuminates a transformation of society made possible by this new technology. Part war story, part legal drama, it is about identity in the age of identification. About humanity—physical bravery, trauma, PTSD, a yearning to do right and good—in the age of biometrics, which reduce people to iris scans, fingerprint scans, voice patterning, detection by odor, gait, and more. And about the power of point of view in a burgeoning surveillance state. Based on hundreds of formerly classified documents, FOIA requests, and exclusive interviews, First Platoon is an investigative exposé by a master chronicler of government secrets. First Platoon reveals a post–9/11 Pentagon whose identification machines have grown more capable than the humans who must make sense of them. A Pentagon so powerful it can cover up its own internal mistakes in pursuit of endless wars. And a people at its mercy, in its last moments before a fundamental change so complete it might be impossible to take back.