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Uncivilised

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Uncivilised

By: Subhadra Das
Narrated by: Subhadra Das
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About this listen

Western civilisation is a powerful brand, full of accepted wisdoms like 'knowledge is power', 'time is money', and 'justice is blind' that we rarely question. Taking cues from Greek philosophy and honed in the Enlightenment, certain notions about humanity and society grew into the tenets many of us still live by today.

But when we take a closer look at these ideas, it seems they're not all they are cracked up to be. In fact, some of them are outright lies - and we can start to ask who really benefits from them. What is the value of a scientific worldview that conjured up 'race'? Are the Western concepts of 'saving' and 'wasting' time really the best ways to live? Who are our laws actually designed to serve? And the real question: is the West as civilised as it likes to think it is?

©2023 Subhadra Das (P)2024 Hodder & Stoughton Limited Civilization Philosophy Political Science Politics & Government Society World Socialism Social justice Middle Ages Ancient History Capitalism

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Critic reviews

A witty and accessible survey of the shortcomings of western civilisation as many people imagine it (Angela Saini, author of SUPERIOR)
A vital piece of work in our challenging times that reminds us of the rich history and influences outside the West. Das writes with passion and humour to open our eyes to the history that has shaped our world (Roma Agrawal)
A stunning debut. Subhadra Das shows how a word - civilisation - became a lie. She traces how that lie was repeated and transformed in universities and museums, and how it came to be embedded in the idea of 'western' culture itself. Clearly and passionately, Uncivilised shows us how to begin to dispel such enduring untruths - with seriousness and humour in equal measure (Dan Hicks, author of THE BRUTISH MUSEUMS)
All stars
Most relevant
I got this after seeing Subhadra speak at QED and I am so glad I did. Fun, interesting, well-told story of the way the West has dictated what amounts to civilisation. Beautifully read and engaging, she weaves her own story in with the wider work in an effortless way that really personified the story for someone who lives a very different experience to myself.

Fascinating Read

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Sometimes amusing, sometimes "Uncivilised" is a brilliant debut that challenges the very notion of what it means to be 'civilised'. It is a crucial piece of work that not only questions our understanding of history but also provides a path toward a more inclusive and truthful narrative. This audiobook is an absolute must-listen for anyone looking to broaden their perspective and better understand the fabric of western society and its effects on cultures across the globe.

Excellent

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This insightful, wide-ranging and often very funny book is a delight, and has given me plenty to think about. It’s full of extraordinary stories from the history of science and culture, snd challenges a whole load of preconceptions about what civilisation is and who exactly is civilised.

Brilliant

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This was a really interesting and thought provoking listen, wonderfully read by it's authour Subhadra Das. I'm glad I have also bought the hardback edition as it will enable me to easily go back and re-read sections for further consideration. The book covers a wide range of ideas which have served as an introduction to, or expanded a little on, many areas worthy of further consideration and investigation. I found this a perfect primer for anyone who may not have previously considered just how much of our received ideas about culture and society have been influenced by colonialism and capitalism, and a good insight into the current work of trying to de-colonise our collections, and hopefully, eventually, our thinking in many areas of our lives. I look forward to more from this authour and highly recommend this book.

Enjoyable food for thought

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Interesting topic, however poorly researched and weakly argumented. Handpicked examples, emotional and fictional stories.. disappointing

Disappointing

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