Work cover art

Work

A History of How We Spend Our Time

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Work

By: James Suzman
Narrated by: Matt Jamie
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About this listen

A revolutionary new history of humankind through the prism of work, from the origins of life on Earth to our ever-more automated present.

The work we do brings us meaning, moulds our values, determines our social status and dictates how we spend most of our time. But this wasn't always the case: for 95 percent of our species' history, work held a radically different importance.

How, then, did work become the central organisational principle of our societies? How did it transform our bodies, our environments, our views on equality and our sense of time? And why, in a time of material abundance, are we working more than ever before?

©2020 James Suzman (P)2020 Audible, Ltd Civilization Economic History Economics Labour & Industrial Relations Politics & Government Sociology World

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All stars
Most relevant  
A fantastic book with wide ranging images insights about humanity; I’m enjoying every minute.

The narration is good, but the narrator seriously needs to work on his pronunciation. Not only is his pronunciation of foreign words often wincingly wrong but he even pronounces a number of English words wrongly—as if he’s reading them with dyslexia or just not paying attention by missing out (or adding) a letter here and there. (Eg Oceania, the continental region, becomes “Oceana”... etc). His pronunciation of foreign language words could easily have been corrected with a quick internet search; it’s not that he’s unable to produce the sounds. In one persistent example that spans much of the book, he pronounces the ethnic term
“Ju/‘hoansi” without the click, yet he pronounces the click correctly in another word (“n/om”), demonstrating one of his many inconsistencies. Although his tone and rhythm were good, his pronunciation errors were a continual irritation.

Narration aside, this is a highly informative and engaging book that I will enjoy listening to again.

Excellent with rich insights

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This is an excellent book looking a humankind from a specific perspective. It's clearly written, utterly absorbing and wonderfully read by Matt Jamie. Suzman allows the subject matter, work, to meander from the laws of thermodynamics, the creation of life, to stone age tools, hunter and gatherers, the advent of fire to humankind's contemporary situation...fascinating!

It wasn't hard 'work' to listen

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Overall I found this to be thought provoking and very enjoyable. However, I’m yet to come to a firm conclusion about the true nature of our species relationship with work intertwined as it is with societal influence and expectations. A door to more research.

Thought provoking analysis

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If you enjoy social and economic history with a view to the future this is the book for you very enjoyable and thought provoking

Excellent

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Wasn't what I initially expected but it was still a great Listen.

One thing I noticed though, harvard was founded in 1636, not 1736 like stated in the book.

Not quite what I expected but a good listen.

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Takes a really long view on the whole concept of work, starting with thermodynamics and going on to span the history of life on earth. Helps to put things in perspective and give some inspiration for a future that doesn't have to end in climate apocalypse.

Thought provoking, excellent narration

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