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Most historians study the smallest slivers of time, emphasizing specific dates, individuals, and documents. But what would it look like to study the whole of history, from the big bang through the present day — and even into the remote future? How would looking at the full span of time change the way we perceive the universe, the earth, and our very existence?
These were the questions David Christian set out to answer when he created the field of "Big History," the most exciting new approach to understanding where we have been, where we are, and where we are going. In Origin Story, Christian takes readers on a wild ride through the entire 13.8 billion years we've come to know as "history." By focusing on defining events (thresholds), major trends, and profound questions about our origins, Christian exposes the hidden threads that tie everything together — from the creation of the planet to the advent of agriculture, nuclear war, and beyond.
With stunning insights into the origin of the universe, the beginning of life, the emergence of humans, and what the future might bring, Origin Story boldly reframes our place in the cosmos.
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Creators
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Publisher
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Release date
May 22, 2018 -
Formats
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OverDrive Read
- ISBN: 9780316392020
- File size: 1230 KB
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EPUB ebook
- ISBN: 9780316392020
- File size: 1960 KB
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Languages
- English
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Reviews
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July 1, 2018
Christian (history, Macquarie Univ.) delivers a surprisingly compact and accessible history of the universe that captures the complexity of our origins as both living organisms and modern humans. The first challenge, that of covering 13.8 billion years of history, is primarily accomplished in the book's first three parts, which divide history into a series of eight "thresholds," or key transition points that run from the Big Bang to the "Great Acceleration" of human invention in the late 20th century. The second challenge, of uniting these thresholds and justifying the "origin" project, is accomplished subtly throughout, but especially in the work's future-looking final part, which asks how we might come together to tackle foreseeable challenges to our species and planet. Christian suggests that will be the next chapter in the fascinating history of our modern origins. VERDICT An invigorating romp through time and space that brings fresh perspective to the science of human history. Highly recommended for general fans of science writing, human history, and of Christian's previous work with the Big History Project or the TED organization.--Robin Chin Roemer, Univ. of Washington Lib., Seattle
Copyright 2018 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
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