I'm about halfway through this book. While it's full of fascinating ideas and information, it's badly in need of an editor. To me, it often reads more like a stream of consciousness than a structured essay. Also, I'm not particularly well-versed in the subject matter, but even I can recognize some of the massive logical jumps that they make based on the evidence that they present.
Had this simply been a book to exhibit new ways of understanding and exploring the merits of prehistoric societies, perhaps it would be more fitting of its title "The Dawn of Everything." I could see this working better in a format more like Charles Mann's 1491. Instead, it attempts to tackle a number of broader questions about modern society while slinging mud at every author in the last five hundred years that's touched upon them. Overall, my impression so far is that Graeber and Wengrow bit off more than they could chew. I want to keep reading for the information they present, but it's been a struggle to stay focused.
I've got 25 pages left to read. It has taken me longer to read than any book in recent memory. It's not badly written, but particularly at the end it looses focus, and consequently I have too. I hope to finish it by the end of the month, but I've been saying that for more than 7 months.
Yep, I started the audio book back in August and just finished it earlier this week... 5 months may be a long time but it's probably shorter than the reign of most chieftains.
Honestly I really disliked the audiobook. The reader was dreadfully drab, even with his impeccable English. Also the book ended up costing me $60 ($15 / mo Audible subscription), even I technically got to listen for free. Most expensive history lesson I've ever paid for.
Had this simply been a book to exhibit new ways of understanding and exploring the merits of prehistoric societies, perhaps it would be more fitting of its title "The Dawn of Everything." I could see this working better in a format more like Charles Mann's 1491. Instead, it attempts to tackle a number of broader questions about modern society while slinging mud at every author in the last five hundred years that's touched upon them. Overall, my impression so far is that Graeber and Wengrow bit off more than they could chew. I want to keep reading for the information they present, but it's been a struggle to stay focused.