One of Britain's most popular public philosophers presents unexpected, hopeful lessons from human history that could help us to overcome the global challenges facing humanity in the 21st century
'Brimming with ideas and insights, this is a welcome, important and clear-eyed view of how understanding the past can help us better prepare for the future' - Peter Frankopan, bestselling author of The Earth Transformed and The Silk Roads
'Enlightening and thrilling. History for Tomorrow tells us who we are and who we could be' - George Monbiot, bestselling author of Regenesis and How Did We Get Into This Mess?
What can humankind's rich history of radical revolts teach us about the power of disobedience to tackle the climate crisis? What inspiration could we take from eighteenth century Japan to create a regenerative economy today? How might understanding the origins of capitalism spark ideas for bringing AI under control?
In History for Tomorrow, leading social philosopher Roman Krznaric unearths fascinating insights and inspiration from the last 1000 years of world history that could help us confront the most urgent challenges facing humanity in the twenty-first century. From bridging the inequality gap and reducing the risks of genetic engineering, to reviving our faith in democracy and avoiding ecological collapse, History for Tomorrow shows that history is not simply a means of understanding the past but a way of reimagining our relationship with the future. Krznaric reveals how, time and again, societies have risen up, often against the odds, to tackle challenges and overcome crises. History offers a vision of radical hope that could turn out to be our most vital tool for surviving and thriving in the turbulent decades ahead.
Industry Reviews
Essential thinking about the big issues facing the world today
- BRIAN ENO
An amazing feat of synthesis and imagination, weaving together many different strands of world history to make a pattern that can guide us in the present toward a vibrant future. Krznaric’s book is immensely suggestive of positive actions that have track records; they’ve worked before, and in new formulations they can work again. Wise and practical inspiration
- KIM STANLEY ROBINSON, AUTHOR OF THE MINISTRY FOR THE FUTURE
A fascinating account of historical moments that could serve as beacons of hope for our own times.
- AMITAV GHOSH, AUTHOR OF THE NUTMEG’S CURSE
Roman Krznaric has achieved a tour de force with a book that draws unexpected links between a very wide range of historical events from all over the world. This is a uniquely hopeful book, which never romanticizes the past but inspires us to imagine alternative solutions to address the most urgent issues of our time. -
DR HÉLÈNE NEVEU KRINGELBACH, ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF AFRICAN ANTHROPOLOGY, UNIVERSITY COLLEGE LONDON
Enlightening and thrilling. History for Tomorrow tells us who we are and who we could be. -
GEORGE MONBIOT, BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF REGENESIS AND HOW DID WE GET INTO THIS MESS?
History for Tomorrow simply fizzes with ideas, revealing with startling clarity what human beings have done, and can do, when they organise, cooperate and help each other. Compassionate, insightful and hopeful. -
MICHAEL WOOD, HISTORIAN, BROADCASTER AND PROFESSOR OF PUBLIC HISTORY, UNIVERSITY OF MANCHESTER
This joyful and informative book opens our minds and souls, helping us to see with new eyes and to believe in ourselves as a species, so we can meet our predicament with a belief that change really is possible. -
GAIL BRADBROOK, CO-FOUNDER, EXTINCTION REBELLION
Roman Krznaric turns to the past not for its own sake, but for ours. In his deft hands, case studies suggest how we can do better – learn and be capable – as we face the largest challenges of the present. -
DR SARAH KNOTT, SALLY REAHARD PROFESSOR OF HISTORY, INDIANA UNIVERSITY AND AUTHOR OF MOTHER: AN UNCONVENTIONAL HISTORY
Brimming with ideas and insights, this is a welcome, important and clear-eyed view of how understanding the past can help us better prepare for the future -
PETER FRANKOPAN, AUTHOR OF THE SILK ROADS AND THE EARTH TRANSFORMED
