An Illustrated Short History of Progress

"In these acclaimed CBC Massey Lectures, Ronald Wright argues that each time history repeats itself, the price goes up. The twentieth century was a time of runaway growth in human population, consumption, and technology, placing a colossal load on all natural systems. He demonstrates how our modern predicament is as old as civilization, a 10,000-year experiment we have participated in but seldom controlled. Only by understanding the patterns of human triumph and disaster can we recognize the experiment's inherent dangers and shape its outcome. Wright's provocative text evokes striking images across time and space, starting with Paul Gauguin's painting "D'Où Venons Nous? Que Sommes Nous? Où Allons Nous?" -- Where do we come from? What are we? Where are we going? -- three questions that perfectly summarize the focus of his lectures. In this new edition, illuminating illustrations and sidebars complement Wright's arguments, and allow readers to witness further evidence supporting his cautionary tale."--pub. desc.