Books Like...
If you liked Catastrophe: An Investigation into the Origins of Modern Civilization, here are the top 51 books to read next:
- #1
Save:A gripping, approachable intro to the Black Death that brings the horror and scale of the pandemic to life. Great for beginners, but seasoned history fans should keep an eye out for inaccuracies and check the edition before buying.
When this history was published in 1969 I remarked in my preface that, though there might be controversy over some of its consequences, all at least would agree that the Black Death was of the greates... - #2
Save:A milestone in historical epidemiology - still insightful, albeit a bit dry and dated. Worth reading if you want to see history from a microbial perspective!
Before fully human populations evolved, we must suppose that like other animals our ancestors fitted into an elaborate, self-regulating ecological balance. The most conspicuous aspect of this balance... A snarky, fascinating romp through history's nastiest plagues - perfect for readers who like their nonfiction lively, accessible, and full of morbid fun (but probably not for medical purists or humor-averse readers).
Every so often—frequently when consenting adults are reported to be having sex in some manner that would have been banned in the Victorian age—a TV commentator will shake his head and discuss how this...- #4
Save:A compulsively readable, human-focused history of the Black Death - more of an emotional journey than an exhaustive academic study. Expect vibrant anecdotes, a few creative liberties, and plenty of fascinating, grisly detail.
FEODOSIYA SITS ON THE EASTERN COAST OF THE CRIMEA, A RECTANGULAR spit of land where the Eurasian steppe stops to dip its toe into the Black Sea. Today the city is a rusty wasteland of post-Soviet deca... - #5
Save:The book presents the first comprehensive history of the origin of syphilis, from its appearance in Europe at the end of the fifteenth century to the present day. Quetel examines the origins and treatments of syphilis over the centuries, focusing on
... A solid, accessible entry point to the Bronze Age collapse - smart, well-researched, and thought-provoking, though more about the centuries before 1177 BC than the collapse itself. Expect a broad, fascinating overview rather than a definitive answer.
Stories and inscriptions dating to near the end of this period, about 1550 BC, record some of the battles that flared up between the Egyptians and the Hyksos. In particular, we have one story that rec...- #7
Save:'Medieval Technology and Social Change' by Lynn White is a distinguished book that explores the technological advancements of the Middle Ages and their impact on social and economic development. White challenges the common perception of the Middle Ages as a period of darkness and ignorance, highlighting the stunning technological developments that laid the foundation for the modern world. The book delves into various innovations such as the stirrup, saddle, and town clock tower, connecting them to radical changes in social outlook and property conceptions. White's writing style is scholarly yet engaging, offering speculations on how Europe was influenced by the technological changes of the Middle Ages.
- #8
Save:An absorbing, well-written history that goes beyond the science to tell a deeply human story - perfect for anyone curious about medical innovation and American culture. Definitely deserving of its Pulitzer Prize!
- #9
Save:A fascinating and thorough account of a nearly forgotten tragedy that changed a city and brought two nations closer - great for those who enjoy narrative nonfiction about remarkable moments in history, even if the storytelling style isn't universally loved.
At 8:00 p.m., 15,000 hearty souls left their warm, dry offices and homes to crowd around the stage in the center of Boston Common, the nation’s oldest city park, dating back to 1634. They were waiting... An entertaining, insightful look at how fabric has shaped our world - perfect for curious readers who love history seen through a fresh and tactile lens.
The threads that Kvavadze found are invisible to the naked eye, and the objects they were part of disintegrated long ago. Nevertheless, these fibres do allow the curious to get some intriguing glimpse...
