A Criminal History of Mankind

By Colin Wilson,

Book cover of A Criminal History of Mankind

Book description

Colin Wilson tells the story of human violence from Peking Man to the Mafia - taking into account the calculated sadism of the Assyrians, the opportunism of the Greek pirates, the brutality that made Rome the ‘razor king of the Mediterranean’, the mindless destruction of the Vandals, the mass slaughter…

When you buy books, we may earn a commission that helps keep our lights on (or join the rebellion as a member).

Why read it?

1 author picked A Criminal History of Mankind as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

A controversial author who I discovered in my twenties; I lapped up his non-fictional work.

This book is an in-depth investigation into the dark side of the human psyche. Wilson explores the psychology and history of criminality and violence, concluding with how that is manifested in what was then his ‘present day’.

Although first published in 1984, nearly forty years on his work is still pertinent. For me that stimulates many questions. Having just pulled it from my bookshelf, I think it is time I read it again.

Wilson covers his subject with focused attention and easy-to-understand detail. He encourages…

If you love A Criminal History of Mankind...

Ad

Book cover of Who Is a Worthy Mother?: An Intimate History of Adoption

Who Is a Worthy Mother? By Rebecca Wellington,

I grew up thinking that being adopted didn’t matter. I was wrong. This book is my journey uncovering the significance and true history of adoption practices in America. Now, in the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court’s overturning of Roe v. Wade, the renewed debate over women’s reproductive rights places…

Want books like A Criminal History of Mankind?

Our community of 12,000+ authors has personally recommended 44 books like A Criminal History of Mankind.

Browse books like A Criminal History of Mankind

Book cover of Emotional Intelligence: Why It Can Matter More Than IQ
Book cover of The Second Sex
Book cover of To Be a Woman: The Birth of the Conscious Feminine

Share your top 3 reads of 2024!

And get a beautiful page showing off your 3 favorite reads.

1,593

readers submitted
so far, will you?

5 book lists we think you will like!

Interested in psyche, Genghis Khan, and Vlad the Impaler?

Psyche 25 books
Genghis Khan 14 books
Vlad The Impaler 10 books