The American anarchist, primitivist philosopher, and author John Zerzan critiques agriculture-based civilization as inherently oppressive and advocates drawing upon the life of hunter-gatherers as an inspiration for what free society should look like. Subjects of his criticism include domestication, language, symbolic thought, and the concept of time.This book includes sixteen essays ranging from the beginning of civilization to today’s general crisis. Zerzan provides a critical perspective about civilization.A People’s History of Civilization includes chapters about:PatriarchyThe City and its InmatesWar Enters the PictureThe Bronze AgeThe Axial AgeThe Crisis of Late AntiquityRevolt and HeresyModernity Takes ChargeWho Killed Ned LuddCultural LuddismIndustrialism and ResistanceDecadenceWWICivilization’s Pathological EndgameIn recent years, John Zerzan has successfully toured Europe to speak from his primitivist perspective regarding contemporary civilization. Zerzan calls Eugene, Oregon home.
Has civilization been a good idea? Zerzan doesn't think so. We may need this critical perspective, as the nature of civilization becomes clearer--and more frightening!