Fates of Nations [Hardcover]

Paul A. Colinvaux (Author)

Product Details

• Hardcover: 383 pages
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster (August 18, 1980)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0671252046
• ISBN-13: 978-0671252045
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.7 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,857,382 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars History explained by ecology, March 3, 1999

By 

David ([e-mail]) (Japan) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Fates of Nations (Hardcover)

One of the most insightful and disturbing books I have read in recent years. Professor Colinvaux explains, in very lucid terms, exactly why the history of our species has unfolded the way it has, and why certain patterns have tended to repeat themselves. Ecological theory states that every species of animal has a specific profession or "niche", and only the human animal has figured out how to "change jobs" without becoming a different species altogether.The problem of mankind has always been how to improve and increase the professions of a nation's population while simultaneously packing in fresh job applicants through an unchanging breeding strategy of "make as many babies as you think you can afford". This dilemma, Colinvaux explains, has been precisely the cause of the conquests of Alexander, Caesar, Genghis, Napoleon, Hitler and the rest. The underlying problem has not gone away: the single greatest threat to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness is, according to the book, the continued overpopulation and impoverishment of the planet through the unchanging breeding habits of our species. As long as people keep having too many babies, the oppressions, pogroms, and great wars of history will unquestionably happen again and again. This is not a very happy or popular message for a politically-correct age (which is likely why the book is now out of print). It is however an important message, and one that is quite cleverly and convincingly delivered by Colinvaux. Anyone with an interest in history, science, and the future of the human race should make an effort to find and read this book.

5.0 out of 5 stars The Fates of Nations, March 14, 2010

By 

Dr G (Massachusetts) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Fates of Nations (Hardcover)

This book is a relatively undiscovered masterpiece (as are the other books by this ecologist). When it is published again it will be another masterpiece.

5.0 out of 5 stars A biological theory of history, September 6, 2009

By 

Brian Sanderson (Wolville, NS, Canada) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Fates of Nations (Hardcover)

Colinvaux convincingly develops his theory within the framework of a conventional understanding of the "facts" of history. The ecological principles used by Colinvaux are widely accepted and unremarkable in themselves. What is remarkable, but obvious with hindsight, is the melding of history and ecology into a deep and coherent picture of humanity and human history. Where the analyses of others leave off is where Colinvaux begins.