Everyone should take down at least one major book of world history. There are many options, but this is our favorite. It’s an 800-page brick, but worth the time. William McNeill not only tells the history well but also identifies processes behind the story. These include the ways communities construct political order, the process of diffusion of knowledge, the power of religion and ideas, the cycles of empires and conflict, the search for balances of power in state systems, and the impact of leaders, thinkers, and technology. History is the key dataset for making strategy. To develop your own theory of history, this book is a good starting point.
Quote
Men some centuries from now will surely look back upon our time as a golden age of unparalleled technical, intellectual, institutional, and perhaps even of artistic creativity...We belong in this high company and should count ourselves fortunate to live in one of the great ages of the world.
Guiding Questions
- What dynamics does McNeill identify as the key driving forces behind human history? Why?
- Is it more effective to analyze history through the lens of discrete civilizations, or should we take a more holistic approach to understanding where we came from?