Beyond Civilization: Humanity's Next Great Adventure

Additional Beyond Civilization: Humanity's Next Great Adventure Information

In Beyond Civilization, Daniel Quinn has made it his task to think the unthinkable. We all know there's no one right way to build a bicycle, no one right way to design an automobile, no one right way to construct a pair of shoes, but we're convinced there must be only one right way for people to live--and the one we have is it, no matter what. Even if we hate it, we must cling to it. Even if it drags us to the brink of extinction, we must not let it go.

Many other peoples have built civilizations--and then walked away from them. Quinn examines the Maya, the Olmec, the people of Teotihuacn, and others, who did just that. But they all walked away moving backward--to an earlier lifestyle. Quinn's goal in this book is to show how we can walk away moving forward, to a new lifestyle, one which encourages diversity instead of suppressing it. Not a "New World Order," but rather a New Personal Order. Not legislative change at the governmental level, but rather incremental change at the human level.

This is a guidebook for people who want to assert control over their destiny and recover the freedom to live at a scale and in a style of their own choosing--and starting now, today, not in some distant utopian future.

What Customers Say About Beyond Civilization: Humanity's Next Great Adventure:

I agree with his damning assesment of civilisation but I am not sure his mostly vague thoughts about new tribalism is really much of a solution to anyone. In the bookstore I frequent this book was under social sciences, I think it would be better placed in the self help section as that is what it reads like.I give Quinn five stars for his message and creative thinking, but its not a great book. A very dramatic title pulls you in and it then starts out with a really interesting conceptual theory about civilization, in that it is not a natural state for humans to exist in, Quinn then goes on to suggest that tribes are a more natural state for us humans to belong to. With every essay my initial excitement slowly ebbed away as the book went on and on without building too much on its central theme. When Quinn started writing about his own personal 'walk' from civilization was the point where I started skimming looking for a change in direction, it never came.

This book explains why the world is the way it is, and it's probably not what you think. No need to give a lengthy, in depth review. It is a study in history, human behavior and sociology. If this book were required reading in high schools in the United States it would have profound ramifications on how our society functions. Put to rest all of your conspiracy theories, metaphysical conundrums or nihilistic conclusions. It presents clear ideas on the answer to "Ok, the world is broken, but now what." It doesn't proved all the answers, but it attempts to give a good start. Read this book.

Mr. The direction everyone is speeding in, goes against our survival. Quinn's ability to extrapolate our present cultural situation through comparisons is truly remarkable. One begins to understand why everyone kills the messenger when they deliver a revelation to stop. We must look to change the cultural under pinnings our society from the top down.Could not put it down. Have sent book unannounced to several friends.

Quinn make's you think furiously, and that's really good. The second half of this little book is more challenging and gratifying than the first. And there are some delightful surprises for Quinn disciples.

An permanent addition to my collection of books that have provided profound and unique insights.