Lightbulb Moments in Human History: from Cave to Colosseum (Paperback) (ISBN-13: 9781764067249)

Big Ideas. Bad Decisions. Brilliant Mistakes.

From the invention of stone tools to the roar of the Colosseum, humans have stumbled forward powered by big ideas-with even bigger consequences.

In this smart, irreverent, and unexpectedly hopeful tour of the ancient world, Scott Edwin Williams traces the sparks that lit the fuse of civilization.

Along the way, he calls out conspiracy theorists, pokes fun at paleo-hippies, and explores the messy miracle of collective learning.

This isn't a textbook. It's a guided wander through the best (and worst) ideas our species ever had-from tool-making and storytelling to bureaucracy, religion, war, and philosophy (but thankfully, no social media).

Some ideas propelled us forward. Others exploded mid-launch.

Many somehow managed to do both.

Welcome to the history of progress, pratfalls, and lightbulb moments.

BUCKLE IN. LIGHT THE FUSE. LET'S GO.