The Horse, the Wheel, and Language

How Bronze-Age Riders from the Eurasian Steppes Shaped the Modern World

By: David W. Anthony

Narrated by: Tom Perkins

Length: 18 hrs and 25 mins

Publisher's summary

Roughly half the world's population speaks languages derived from a shared linguistic source known as Proto-Indo-European. But who were the early speakers of this ancient mother tongue, and how did they manage to spread it around the globe?

Until now, their identity has remained a tantalizing mystery to linguists, archaeologists, and even Nazis seeking the roots of the Aryan race. The Horse, the Wheel, and Language lifts the veil that has long shrouded these original Indo-European speakers and reveals how their domestication of horses and use of the wheel spread language and transformed civilization.

Linking prehistoric archaeological remains with the development of language, David W. Anthony identifies the prehistoric peoples of Central Eurasia's steppe grasslands as the original speakers of Proto-Indo-European and shows how their innovative use of the ox wagon, horseback riding, and the warrior's chariot turned the Eurasian steppes into a thriving transcontinental corridor of communication, commerce, and cultural exchange.

He explains how they spread their traditions and gave rise to important advances in copper mining, warfare, and patron-client political institutions, thereby ushering in an era of vibrant social change. Anthony also describes his fascinating discovery of how the wear from bits on ancient horse teeth reveals the origins of horseback riding.

The Horse, the Wheel, and Language solves a puzzle that has vexed scholars for two centuries - the source of the Indo-European languages and English - and recovers a magnificent and influential civilization from the past.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2007 Princeton University Press (P)2018 Tantor

Great book

Great book but requires some patience. While the archeological detail is admirable, it could have been condensed and summarized, which would have made the book better. Also, there is more exposition into surrounding non Indo European cultures than is required for the ultimate conclusions the author draws. However, very fascinating, intellectually honest, and worth the time for anyone interested in the subject.

Interesting, but there is a LOT about pots

I agree with the other reviewer that this has some fascinating elements, but the depths to which the author goes about pots is… intense. Well, not even whole pots, bits of pots. It is also amusing to hear the academic griping about other archeologists and linguists in general.

could use more extra materials

There's a lot of data in this book. It's an amazing research and I'm very happy it was made into an audiobook, because as someone who is only a casual listener to such content, I would not have went for a book I need to sit down and read. But some information like mentioned places at least could be helpful in a written form. As a Polish, I would have loved to know the exact places this book speaks of in area close to my country, but given the English pronounciation and obscurity of the some places in the modern era I cannot be sure I have found the exact ones the book speaks of.

Fascinating History

My first dive into prehistoric Indo-European language and history was fascinating! Very well thought out and supported, along with a PDF. Thank you Professor Anthony! JSelway

Great Insight, Well Performed

I’ll admit, this book is geared towards a specific audience, so it isn’t for everyone. As someone that loves archeology, ancient nomadic history, and the process of deeply proving a case, this is a fantastic read. His great efforts in research are clear.
The performance was very well done. When the author is digressing into a point he wants to emphasize, the speaker often shifts his tone slightly. I love this detail, as it makes clear what is pure evidence and information, and what is author perspective or interjection.

not as expected

seems the author is well acquainted with the history and archaeology of the Ukraine, and surrounding regions. i found the book tedious, with too much detail, and not enough dynamic storytelling, nor explanations of the importance of the developments of these civilizations. i am plowing through slowly, but hoped for a more interesting read.
i am fascinated by the trypillian/cucutani civiliation

Helps with our understanding of of shared past which came out of the steppe and spread east and west.

A lot of historical detail is in this story that comes out of the Steppes. Important ideas and innovations such as the wheel, governance, and animal husbandry are layered thru out this book. Really good listen even thru the numerous tribes and groups that you will encounter.

Fascinating

This book was a fascinating dive into the linguistic and archeological history of the central Eurasian steppes and how those cultures shaped the modern world.

Fascinating Stuff, and then...Pots of the Steppes

After some fascinating insights about PIE, the Indo-European languages, and even methodological issues and divides, the book *really* bogs down into comparisons of pots, grave sites, figurines, pots, a few more pots, skeletons, and another eight splashes of pots.

The author is an archaeologist, and that eventually shows. The last third or so of the book seems to reveal that his real interest is in the physical remnants of steppe culture, not their language or its influence. He revels in the artifacts, not really letting non-specialist the reader in on the secret (all that often) of why this vast array of detail is all that relevant to PIE except in broad strokes that he already expressed much earlier. Admittedly, there may be some final chapters left that reintegrate linguistic elements, but I’ve been on the steppes of his pottery and pit grave talk for about 5 hours and I’m not sure I’ll see Zion.

The book is honestly worth it for the first 40% if you’re interested in the root of European languages, hence the 4 stars. Just...be prepared.

An important book with an “ear-catching” narrator

The quality of the audiobook was perfect. The narrator was professional. I loved his intonation and pause.