Download or read book The Secret of Our Success written by Joseph Henrich and published by Princeton University Press. This book was released on 2017-10-17 with total page 464 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: How our collective intelligence has helped us to evolve and prosper Humans are a puzzling species. On the one hand, we struggle to survive on our own in the wild, often failing to overcome even basic challenges, like obtaining food, building shelters, or avoiding predators. On the other hand, human groups have produced ingenious technologies, sophisticated languages, and complex institutions that have permitted us to successfully expand into a vast range of diverse environments. What has enabled us to dominate the globe, more than any other species, while remaining virtually helpless as lone individuals? This book shows that the secret of our success lies not in our innate intelligence, but in our collective brains—on the ability of human groups to socially interconnect and learn from one another over generations. Drawing insights from lost European explorers, clever chimpanzees, mobile hunter-gatherers, neuroscientific findings, ancient bones, and the human genome, Joseph Henrich demonstrates how our collective brains have propelled our species' genetic evolution and shaped our biology. Our early capacities for learning from others produced many cultural innovations, such as fire, cooking, water containers, plant knowledge, and projectile weapons, which in turn drove the expansion of our brains and altered our physiology, anatomy, and psychology in crucial ways. Later on, some collective brains generated and recombined powerful concepts, such as the lever, wheel, screw, and writing, while also creating the institutions that continue to alter our motivations and perceptions. Henrich shows how our genetics and biology are inextricably interwoven with cultural evolution, and how culture-gene interactions launched our species on an extraordinary evolutionary trajectory. Tracking clues from our ancient past to the present, The Secret of Our Success explores how the evolution of both our cultural and social natures produce a collective intelligence that explains both our species' immense success and the origins of human uniqueness.

Download or read book The Procastinator s Survival Guide written by Bob Mayer and published by . This book was released on 2018-12-29 with total page 382 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: In an uncertain world we know we haven't done what we should to be prepared for even mild emergencies, but when we start looking into it, we get overwhelmed and put it off for 'someday'. This is the book that makes 'someday' today. A book that will walk you through preparation step by easy step. That provides the key survival information you'll need in a disaster in one handy place. It's full of checklists and links to gear so you can easily see what you should do and what you should have. The book opens with an interactive examination of your specific environment, your potential disasters and then sections are separated into levels of preparation so that you can adjust it to your situation. Preparation is the key to reducing anxiety and increasing capability. Especially in our current era of great uncertainty. Stop procrastinating. The first step is to make a decision NOW!

Download or read book A Kill in the Morning written by Graeme Shimmin and published by Random House. This book was released on 2014-06-19 with total page 386 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: ‘I don’t like killing, but I’m good at it. Murder isn’t so bad from a distance, just shapes popping up in my scope. Close-up work though – a garrotte around a target’s neck or a knife in their heart – it’s not for me. Too much empathy, that’s my problem. Usually. But not today. Today is different . . . ‘ The year is 1955 and something is very wrong with the world. It is fourteen years since Churchill died and the Second World War ended. In occupied Europe, Britain fights a cold war against a nuclear-armed Nazi Germany. In Berlin the Gestapo is on the trail of a beautiful young resistance fighter, and the head of the SS is plotting to dispose of an ailing Adolf Hitler and restart the war against Britain and her empire. Meanwhile, in a secret bunker hidden deep beneath the German countryside, scientists are experimenting with a force far beyond their understanding. Into this arena steps a nameless British assassin, on the run from a sinister cabal within his own government, and planning a private war against the Nazis. And now the fate of the world rests on a single kill in the morning . . .

Download or read book Zombie Crusade written by J. W. Vohs and published by CreateSpace. This book was released on 2012-10-14 with total page 276 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Former Ranger Jack Smith watched an Army bio-warfare experiment go horribly wrong in an Afghan village in 2001, escaping only after he turned to a makeshift mace and bayonet to destroy the skulls of the infected creatures that bullets to the chest could not stop. With the traumatic experience seared into his mind, he earned his Ph.D. in ancient history and began developing medieval weapons-making skills after he left the service. When the virus broke free from the Hindu-Kush Mountains a decade later and rapidly spread across the globe, Jack knew how to fight the monsters created by the infection: 21st century technology combined with deadly medieval tactics and weaponry. Jack and his former squad-mates lead a resistance against a zombie apocalypse in a crusade to ensure humanity's survival.

Download or read book After Collapse written by Glenn M. Schwartz and published by University of Arizona Press. This book was released on 2010-08-15 with total page 300 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: From the Euphrates Valley to the southern Peruvian Andes, early complex societies have risen and fallen, but in some cases they have also been reborn. Prior archaeological investigation of these societies has focused primarily on emergence and collapse. This is the first book-length work to examine the question of how and why early complex urban societies have reappeared after periods of decentralization and collapse. Ranging widely across the Near East, the Aegean, East Asia, Mesoamerica, and the Andes, these cross-cultural studies expand our understanding of social evolution by examining how societies were transformed during the period of radical change now termed “collapse.” They seek to discover how societal complexity reemerged, how second-generation states formed, and how these re-emergent states resembled or differed from the complex societies that preceded them. The contributors draw on material culture as well as textual and ethnohistoric data to consider such factors as preexistent institutions, structures, and ideologies that are influential in regeneration; economic and political resilience; the role of social mobility, marginal groups, and peripheries; and ethnic change. In addition to presenting a number of theoretical viewpoints, the contributors also propose reasons why regeneration sometimes does not occur after collapse. A concluding contribution by Norman Yoffee provides a critical exegesis of “collapse” and highlights important patterns found in the case histories related to peripheral regions and secondary elites, and to the ideology of statecraft. After Collapse blazes new research trails in both archaeology and the study of social change, demonstrating that the archaeological record often offers more clues to the “dark ages” that precede regeneration than do text-based studies. It opens up a new window on the past by shifting the focus away from the rise and fall of ancient civilizations to their often more telling fall and rise. CONTRIBUTORS Bennet Bronson Arlen F. Chase Diane Z. Chase Christina A. Conlee Lisa Cooper Timothy S. Hare Alan L. Kolata Marilyn A. Masson Gordon F. McEwan Ellen Morris Ian Morris Carlos Peraza Lope Kenny Sims Miriam T. Stark Jill A. Weber Norman Yoffee

Download or read book Traditional Bowyer s Bible written by Jim Hamm and published by . This book was released on 2018-07-27 with total page 320 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The Traditional Bowyer's Bible is a remarkably in-depth analysis of the wooden bow from its construction to its correct use by leading experts in the field. The emphasis here is on the history of these weapons and methods for building them from scratch, just as they were made before the advent of firearms.Invaluable information for anyone interested in the age-old lure of archery.

Download or read book Desire of the Everlasting Hills written by Thomas Cahill and published by Anchor. This book was released on 2010-04-28 with total page 343 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: NATIONAL BESTSELLER • From the bestselling author of How the Irish Saved Civilization comes a compelling historical narrative about Jesus—an obscure rabbi from a backwater of the Roman Empire who became the central figure in Western Civilization. "Divertingly instructive...gratifying...[Cahill] makes Jesus a still-living literary presence." —The New York Times In his subtle and engaging investigation into the life and times of Jesus, Thomas Cahill shows us Jesus from his birth to his execution through the eyes of those who knew him and in the context of his time—a time when the Jews were struggling to maintain their beliefs under overlords who imposed their worldview on their subjects. Here is Jesus the loving friend, itinerate preacher, and quiet revolutionary, whose words and actions inspired his followers to journey throughout the Roman world and speak the truth he instilled—in the face of the greatest defeat: Jesus' crucifixion as a common criminal. Daring, provocative, and stunningly original, Cahill's interpretation will both delight and surprise.

Download or read book Narrative Mechanics written by Beat Suter and published by transcript Verlag. This book was released on 2021-05-31 with total page 363 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: What do stories in games have in common with political narratives? This book identifies narrative strategies as mechanisms for meaning and manipulation in games and real life. It shows that the narrative mechanics so clearly identifiable in games are increasingly used (and abused) in politics and social life. They have »many faces«, displays and interfaces. They occur as texts, recipes, stories, dramas in three acts, movies, videos, tweets, journeys of heroes, but also as rewarding stories in games and as narratives in society - such as a career from rags to riches, the concept of modernity or market economy. Below their surface, however, narrative mechanics are a particular type of motivational design - of game mechanics.

Download or read book Heyward the Horse Loves Charleston of Course written by Andrew Barton and published by . This book was released on 2018-02-24 with total page pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Download or read book Beyond Collapse written by T. Joseph Miller Jr and published by Createspace Independent Publishing Platform. This book was released on 2012-10-20 with total page 456 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Civilizations come and go... ...and they don't always go quietly. In our global civilization, the consequence of it all crashing is going to be far-reaching, and with nowhere to hide. With so many moving parts and a lack of long-term stewardship by our leaders, odds are good that you will want to make at least a few preparations... but the question you often ask is: how? That's where I come in. In Beyond Collapse, we not only get you prepared for such an event, but we also help you and your fellow survivors come together, defend one another, preserve what may be lost and rebuild civilization together. Unlike most books of this type, we don't require a paramilitary mindset, tinfoil headgear, bunkers, or living "off-grid." Everything in here is geared towards gaining skills and resources that are just as useful and socially acceptable in peaceful times as they will be when society and civilization crashes. You will find this book useful for beginners, or those who have been preparing for a long time. The best part is, you will find it useful even if civilization holds up just fine.

Download or read book 21 Lessons for the 21st Century written by Yuval Noah Harari and published by Random House. This book was released on 2019-01-29 with total page 360 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: #1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • In Sapiens, he explored our past. In Homo Deus, he looked to our future. Now, one of the world’s most innovative thinkers explores what it means to be human in an age of bewilderment. “Fascinating . . . a crucial global conversation about how to take on the problems of the twenty-first century.”—Bill Gates, The New York Times Book Review A FINANCIAL TIMES BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR How can we protect ourselves from nuclear war or ecological catastrophe? What do we do about the epidemic of fake news or the threat of terrorism? How should we prepare our children for the future? 21 Lessons for the 21st Century is a probing and visionary investigation into today’s most urgent issues as we move into the future. As technology advances faster than our understanding of it, hacking becomes a tactic of war, and the world feels more polarized than ever, Harari addresses the challenge of navigating life in the face of constant and disorienting change and raises the important questions we need to ask ourselves in order to survive. In twenty-one accessible chapters that are both provocative and profound, Harari untangles political, technological, social, and existential issues and offers advice on how to prepare for a very different future from the world we now live in: How can we retain freedom of choice when Big Data is watching us? What will the future workforce look like, and how should we ready ourselves for it? Why is liberal democracy in crisis? Harari’s unique ability to make sense of where we have come from and where we are going has captured the imaginations of millions of readers. Here he invites us to consider values, meaning, and personal engagement in a world full of noise and uncertainty. When we are deluged with irrelevant information, clarity is power. Presenting complex contemporary challenges clearly and accessibly, 21 Lessons for the 21st Century is essential reading.

Download or read book Survival Mom written by Lisa Bedford and published by Harper Collins. This book was released on 2012-04-24 with total page 316 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: From the creator of TheSurvivalMom.com comes this first-of-its-kind guidebook for all the “prepper” moms keen to increase their family's level of preparedness for emergencies and crises of all shapes and sizes. Publisher’s Weekly calls Lisa Bedford’s Survival Mom an “impressively comprehensive manual,” saying, “suburban mom Bedford helps readers learn about, prepare for, and respond to all manner of disasters. . . . From 'Instant Survival Tip' sidebars to a list of 'Lessons from the Great Depression'. . . Bedford's matter-of-fact yet supportive tone will keep the willies at bay.”

Download or read book The Given Sacrifice written by S. M. Stirling and published by Penguin. This book was released on 2013-09-03 with total page 375 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Rudi Mackenzie has won the battle that expelled the enemy from the new High Kingdom of Montival. Now he must free the people who live in the state once known as Idaho from occupation by the legions of the Church Universal and Triumphant and pursue them to their lair over the mountains. There he will finally confront the forces behind the Church—the Powers of the Void. Yet even a victory will not end the conflict forever. The Powers of the Void are malevolent and infinitely patient, and the struggle is one that involves the entire world. They threaten not only Rudi in the present, but also the future represented by his children, Órlaith and John. Rudi knows this. And as his heir Princess Órlaith grows up in the shadow of her famous father, she also realizes that the enemy will do anything to see that she does not live to fulfill her parents’ dream….

Download or read book Tools for Survival written by James Wesley, Rawles and published by Penguin. This book was released on 2014-12-30 with total page 354 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Essential survival advice from a former U.S. Army Intelligence Corps Officer and the world’s preeminent expert in preparedness. For years, James Wesley, Rawles has lived a self-sufficient lifestyle along with his family on a property surrounded by National Forest. In his earlier bestselling nonfiction book, How to Survive the End of the World as We Know It, Rawles outlined the foundations for survivalist living. Now, he details the tools needed to survive anything from a short-term disruption to a long-term, grid-down scenario. Here, Rawles covers tools for every aspect of self sufficient living, including: • Food preservation and cooking • Welding and blacksmithing • Timber, firewood, and lumber • Firefighting • Archery and less-than-lethal defense tools • And more... Field-tested and comprehensive, Tools for Survival is a must-have reference for anyone who wants to know how to prepare for the worst.

Download or read book Kobold Guide to Combat written by Wolfgang Baur and published by Kobold Press. This book was released on 2014-09-30 with total page 162 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: At the heart of every adventure lies conflict. A Full-Throated Battle Cry, the Clash of Swords, the Smell of Smoke & Blood... COMBAT! Whether it's between a cursed knight and an elf prince at swordspoint, adventurers facing down an ogre, or two great armies clashing for ultimate power, combat changes everything. Between these covers, more than 15 master game designers and storytellers get into the thick of it. These essays cover strategy and tactics, and the history of military systems at war. They demonstrate how to increase the tension in a conflict, and use monsters, magic, and war machines on the field. And these creators show you how to create great combat on the tabletop and in your storytelling. Open these pages and enter the fray!

Download or read book Animals Through Chinese History written by Roel Sterckx and published by Cambridge University Press. This book was released on 2019 with total page 293 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This innovative collection opens a door into the rich history of animals in China. This title is also available as Open Access.

Download or read book Tome of Battle written by Richard Baker and published by . This book was released on 2006 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The nine martial disciplines presented in this supplement allow a character with the proper knowledge and focus to perform special combat maneuvers and nearly magical effects. Information is also included on new magic items and spells and new monsters and organizations.