This book explores the fascinating journey of human societies from small, egalitarian groups to the vast, complex societies we see today, focusing on how humans have achieved remarkable levels of cooperation on a large scale. The author employs the principles of cultural evolution, particularly the theory of "cultural multilevel selection," to explain the mechanisms behind the rise of states, empires, and modern corporations. Through a blend of historical evidence and scientific research, the book argues that warfare and the competition between societies have been crucial drivers in forcing societies to become more cooperative and less unequal, ultimately leading to the formation of ultra-cooperative communities, or "Ultrasociety," capable of remarkable feats but also facing new challenges in the modern era.

The 9186th greatest book of all time