Ask HN: Book Recommendations on Western Civilizations

2 points by mindv0rtex 6y ago ↗ HN

I perceive it as a common belief that western civilizations are more successful, for their own definition of success, due to some intrinsic features that they possess, which others don't. I am of the opinion that countries end up where they are mostly by happenstance. Are there any books about these ideas that you might recommend?

4 comments

[ 1.9 ms ] story [ 29.4 ms ] thread

[deleted] 6y ago ↗

(comment deleted)

ekglimmer 6y ago ↗

Sapiens - Yuval Noah Harari. If you have not given this a read yet it gives a good overview of how humanity (and civilization as a whole) developed.

[dead] zapttt 6y ago ↗

read antrhopology and philosophy journals. everything else will be a validation of myths, like Sapiens suggested already.

https://churchlifejournal.nd.edu/articles/youre-a-slave-to-m... (ignore the inflamatory simplistic title)

brickmort 6y ago ↗

If you want to check out a great "Audio Course" (essentially reads like a long audiobook) on this topic, I recommend 'Foundations of Western Civilization II' by Robert Bucholz. No need to read the first part. Its a great outline of the culture, politics, and turning points that led to where the western world is today.