Against the Grain

A Deep History of the Earliest States

By: James C. Scott

Narrated by: Eric Jason Martin

Length: 8 hrs and 35 mins

Publisher's summary

An account of all the new and surprising evidence now available for the beginnings of the earliest civilizations that contradict the standard narrative

Why did humans abandon hunting and gathering for sedentary communities dependent on livestock and cereal grains and governed by precursors of today's states? Most people believe that plant and animal domestication allowed humans, finally, to settle down and form agricultural villages, towns, and states, which made possible civilization, law, public order, and a presumably secure way of living. But archaeological and historical evidence challenges this narrative. The first agrarian states, says James C. Scott, were born of accumulations of domestications: first fire, then plants, livestock, subjects of the state, captives, and finally women in the patriarchal family - all of which can be viewed as a way of gaining control over reproduction.

Scott explores why we avoided sedentism and plow agriculture, the advantages of mobile subsistence, the unforeseeable disease epidemics arising from crowding plants, animals, and grain, and why all early states are based on millets and cereal grains and unfree labor. He also discusses the "barbarians" who long evaded state control, as a way of understanding continuing tension between states and nonsubject peoples.

©2017 Yale University (P)2017 Audible, Inc.

Why grain is humanity's most important product

This book is a fascinating look at what has happened between the lines of what has been written in most history books. Much of the information provided by the author, James C. Scott, has been either ignored or, more likely, gone completely unnoticed by traditional historians. It is his contention that human culture in the form of cities and states was not a given outgrowth of the birth of agriculture but is the result of various long-term fluctuating factors, not the least of which was climatic variabilities. I recommend "Against the Grain" to anyone interested in exploring the thought-provoking first steps by humanity in what was to become the long march over time to our society as it's structured today.

Enlightening

Though, I am not a scholar, I have found this book well researched, informative 👍

History without the academic dogma

Excellent questioning of the false academic dogma biased against free range freedom lovers and for government serfdom.

Logic and writing

James Scott’s wide-ranging use of research in archaeology, history and prehistory, epidemiology, anthropology and nutrition examines our beliefs about the earliest civilizations and stands them on their heads. Brilliant and thrilling!

An interesting perspective

I return to this presentation from time to time to ceep prspective. I recommend it.

Excellent

Well researched, well written. Excellent bank of knowledge. Narrator did wonderful job, great mix of lecture and storytelling! Must read for history enthusiasts.

Interesting

The point the author makes on the evolution of human societies is supported by evidence, and the inevitable path we have taken towards the organized exploitation of resources has indeed the mark of an adaptation choice. The fact that the birth of cities and nations was spurred by grain cultivation, invites us to reverse the point of view and look at humanity as a specie breed by grain itself, and justifies the invective "against" in the title. A nice audiobook well read, giving food for thought in a real sense.

Original thinking easy to follow profound

I enjoyed every chapter of this deep history tome . Author turns traditional historical narrative we’ve all come to know and love , right on its head and he does so with evidentiary support & great plausibility. Well written & well spoken

Most important work of history

This is easily the most important historical work written in the last 100 years. The somewhat clinical approach allows for a unique reshaping of the “barbarians” of civilizations many historical treatises. Against the grain effectively visualizes non-agrarian civilizations as an opposing and competitive force, rather than an earlier stage of our early sedentary states.

Challenges state-centric narratives about history

This is an accessible listen that covers a broad swath of history. I love books that challenge common knowledge with new evidence, and this book challenges received beliefs about barbarians and civilizations.