Ideas: A History of Thought and Invention, from Fire to Freud

Following prefatory remarks about the nonlinear nature of intellectual history, Watson (archeology, U. of Cambridge) traces the origins of ideas, language, cities, religion, philosophy, science, law, nationalism, and individualism. Notably, his survey encompasses non-Western as well as Western cultures, and some little ideas rather than only revolutionary ones. He concludes with the emergence of modern values (some misguided) and ideas about human origins, education, and the unconscious mind. The volume includes substantial reference material. Annotation ©2006 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR