The Decline and Fall of the Human Empire

Why Our Species Is on the Edge of Extinction

De: Henry Gee

Narrado por: Henry Gee

"Henry Gee presents a pithy, fascinating account of the stages of biological evolution. ... a meditative and friendly listening experience."—AudioFile on A (Very) Short History of Life on Earth

Written and read by the award-winning author of A (Very) Short History of Life on Earth: a history of humanity on the brink of decline.

A Next Big Idea Club Must-Read Selection

We are living through a period that is unique in human history. For the first time in more than ten thousand years, the rate of human population growth is slowing down. In the middle of this century population growth will stop, and the number of people on Earth will start to decline—fast.

In this provocative book, award-winning science writer Henry Gee offers a concise, brilliantly told history of our species—and argues that we are on a rapid one-way trip to extinction. The Decline and Fall of the Human Empire narrates the dramatic rise of humanity, how a scattered range of small groups across several continents eventually inbred, interacted, fought, established stable communities and food supplies, and began the process of dominating the planet. The human story is relatively brief—the oldest fossils of H. Sapiens date to approximately 300,000 years ago—yet the spread of our species has been unstoppable…until recently.

As Gee demonstrates, our population has peaked, and is declining; our environment is becoming inimical to human life in many locations; our core resources of water, arable land, and air are diminishing; and new diseases, simmering conflicts, and ambiguous technologies threaten our collective health. Can we still change our course? Or is our own extinction inevitable?

There could be a way out, but the launch window is narrow.

Unless Homo sapiens establishes successful colonies in space within the next two centuries, our species is likely to stay earthbound and will have vanished entirely within another ten thousand years, bringing the seven-million-year story of the human lineage to an end.

With assured narration, dramatic stories, and his signature sprightly humor, Henry Gee envisions new opportunities for the future of humanity—a future that will reward facing challenges with ingenuity, foresight, and cooperation.

A Macmillan Audio production from St. Martin’s Press.

©2025 Henry Gee (P)2025 Macmillan Audio

Reseñas de la Crítica

‘This is a real corker of a book, beautifully crafted, superbly researched, witty, with lashes of humour, telling the gripping story of why our human species will ultimately go the way of the dinosaurs. Are we all just drug-crazed lemmings willingly racing towards the cliff of extinction? Compulsory reading for all humans, mandatory for politicians. Can we possibly survive? Please tell me, Dr Gee, and tell it to me straight, just how much time have we all got?"—John Long, Professor in Palaeontology at Flinders University and author of The Secret History of Sharks—the Rise of the Ocean’s Most Fearsome Predators

"Wide ranging...enjoyable...A serious but nonetheless entertaining look at the human race’s long-term prospects."—Kirkus Reviews

"Henry Gee wrote my favourite book of last year and has now written my favourite book of next year. How he manages to expand my mind, and my knowledge of life on earth, while making me giggle at our own forthcoming extinction, well, t’aint natural. Put this at the head of your reading lists immediately, people. Before it’s too late."—Eric Idle

Too many facts..no wisdom

more unrealistic European idealism that doesn't accept population decline as a necessary correction to the excesses of free trade.

Nuanced View on the Rise of Homo Sapiens

Slightly contrarian view on the rise of homo sapiens. Gee provides a nuanced look at bipedal locomotion, agriculture, and other evolutionary developments. Really enjoyed the overview of the various hominid species and the research into sapien genetic code.

It’s a bit of a downer with respect to the Gee’s prognosis on H. sapien’s continued success. Gee will sound a little political to an American audience but his opinions are all data supported.

Another review complained that Gee doesn’t acknowledge issues with over population. With respect, Gee does but also thinks that a certain population size is necessary to support our complex system.

All around, an erudite and reasonably accessible popular science book, but the reader will need to be broadly read. He riffs off Gibbons’ Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire.