The World Until Yesterday

Much of this is material you know: agriculture, state societies, atypical, etc etc. Where Diamond differs is in his unromanticized analysis and recommendations: it's not useful to pretend that we'd be better off as noble savages, but there are important lessons we can (re-)learn about managing risk, pursuing justice, raising children, and living better in our circumstances. Diamond's illustrative anecdotes from his field work in New Guinea are profound and, IMO, helpful.

Sadly, this book will never reach policymakers or influencers. So it's up to us to recommend it, discuss its lessons, live by example and hope the next generations pick something up.

Oh, and it's slow going but worth toughing out to the end.