Against the Grain

In this thought-provoking audiobook, James C. Scott challenges the conventional understanding of how early civilizations emerged, presenting new archaeological and historical evidence. He examines the shift from hunting and gathering to sedentary life, questioning the role of plant and animal domestication in forming agricultural societies and states. Scott delves into the complexities of human control over reproduction, the benefits of mobile lifestyles, and the impact of disease prompted by dense living conditions, all while exploring the dynamic relationships between early states and those who resisted their authority.