Are you fascinated by the history of civilizations? How many do you know, and how many civilizations are there? Is Western civilization the best? Is it in irredeemable decline? Or is the whole idea of civilization an outdated concept?
These are all questions that I will be exploring in a few ways over the next few months.
First, one theme of my writing in 2024 will be the symphony of civilizations. As I wrote in Letting Go of Politics
Instead of writing about imperial rivalry and ‘geopolitics’, I will write about the coming symphony of civilizations in a world no longer dominated alone by the West.
Second, I am bringing back in edited form podcasts. You can listen on your preferred player or on the Substack platform. Civilizations are back in 2024. There is talk of Western civilizations, the diverse civilizations of the multipolar world, and the upcoming release of the game Civilization 7. It is a great time to explore the real history of the many civilizations that have flourished and fallen in every environment around the world.
Third, I am launching an online history reading club that will explore the history of all the civilizations of the world, wherever and whenever they have flourished or fallen. This World History Explorers Club explores world history and civilizations more. If you would like to join then visit courses.jeffrichwriter.com and join the upcoming world history explorers membership club.
I would love to get to know some of my Substack readers more deeply and share my curiosity and passion for world history with you. The online course platforms offers many platforms to learn whether you are drawn to world history
I am beginning with a slow read of Felipe Fernandez-Armesto. You will get a beautiful short cut to the world history of civilisations in every major environmental niches - from steppe to sea, from lowlands to highlands, from sand deserts to the frozen North. There will be many surprises, including some civilizations you may never have thought about before.
And why not answer this poll about your interest?