The idea of “what if”, especially in historical contexts, have always fascinated me. What if Hitler had been assassinated before the World War started? What if the Americans had lost their war of independence, and India won theirs? What if Islam were the major religion in Europe instead of Christianity? The book is a massive collection of such “what ifs”, and you are bound to like at least a few of the stories.
It’s half time, and as I look back and look ahead, I realise that what I am looking for doesn’t really change – meaning. It’s still a choice though, on how to approach it – “whether to float with the tide, or to swim for a goal”.
After several pathetic experiences, we had been avoiding Sarjapur Road, but a microbrewery is always tempting. Aurum Brew Works delivered on the craft beer, ambiance and especially the service. If you’re in this part of town, and looking for beer, this one is definitely the place to go to!
Not an easy read, but persist and you will be rewarded with a fascinating answer to the question that the book’s blurb asks – “why has human history unfolded so differently across the globe?”. While the more famous “Sapiens” tackles how humanity reached its apex position in evolution, it doesn’t try to answer why, say the Spanish conquered South American empires, and not the other way? By looking beyond the proximate answers to that question, the book is able to reveal important insights on evolutionary determinism even within the species.