The Story of Work

Name: The Story of Work
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SKU: 9780300267068
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A New History of Humankind

By Jan Lucassen

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3.49

( 192 ratings, 24 reviews)

Summary

The Story of Work by Jan Lucassen examines the history of human labour across various cultures and eras, exploring how work has shaped and defined human societies throughout history. It provides an in-depth look at the evolution of work, our relationship with it, and its impact on the development of communities and economies worldwide. The book analyses how work roles and attitudes towards labour have transformed over centuries, offering insights into the future of work.
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Format: Paperback / softback

$35⁹⁹

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The Story of Work

$35⁹⁹

Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

This book may appeal to you if you're fascinated by the historical evolution of work across different cultures and epochs. It offers an insightful examination of labour's role in shaping societies, highlighting connections between work practices and major historical developments. Ideal for those who appreciate in-depth analyses of how human labour has influenced economic and social systems throughout history.

The Story of Work

The first truly global history of work, an upbeat assessment from the age of the hunter-gatherer to the present day

Description

The first truly global history of work, an upbeat assessment from the age of the hunter-gatherer to the present day. “Beginning in the hunting-and-gathering past, this long view of work shows how little has changed over millennia. Progressing through the rise of cities, wages and markets for labour, it traces a perennial cycle of injustice and resistance—and the age-old desire for more.”—The Economist, “Best Books of 2021” “Absolutely fascinating. . . . Lucassen’s own compassion shines through this magisterial book.”—Christina Patterson, The Guardian We work because we have to, but also because we like it: from hunting-gathering more than 700,000 years ago to the present era of zoom meetings, humans have always worked to make the world around them serve their needs. The Story of Work by Jan Lucassen provides an inclusive history of humanity’s busy labour throughout the ages. Spanning China, India, Africa, the Americas, and Europe, Lucassen looks at the ways in which humanity organizes work: in the household, the tribe, the city, and the state. He examines how labour is split between men, women, and children; the watershed moment of the invention of money; the collective action of workers; and the impact of migration, slavery, and the idea of leisure. From peasant farmers in the first agrarian societies to the precarious existence of today’s gig workers, this surprising account of both cooperation and subordination at work throws essential light on the opportunities we face today.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

The Story of Work by Jan Lucassen is praised for its expansive scope, covering the evolution of labour across different cultures and eras. Reviewers highlight its engaging prose, enriched with historical facts and witty commentary. The book is noted for offering a comprehensive human history of labour rather than just a world history, with Lucassen granting agency to often overlooked workers. It encourages readers to reconsider the value and definition of work, presenting a narrative filled with both factual richness and thought-provoking insights.

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780300267068

Publisher: Yale University Press

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 25 October 2022

Country: United States

Imprint: Yale University Press

Illustration: 27 b-w ilus. + 3 figs. + 6 maps

Audience: Professional and scholarly

DIMENSIONS

Width: 127.0mm

Height: 197.0mm

Weight: 0g

Pages: 552

Collections

Education & Reference Global History History & Military Jan Lucassen Non-Fiction

About the Author

Jan Lucassen is an honorary fellow at the the International Institute of Social History in Amsterdam where he founded the IISH Research Department. He is the coeditor of Globalising Migration History: The Eurasian Experience and the editor of Global Labour History.