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Fates of Nations

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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.

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.

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.