Ideas
by Watson, Peter
In this hugely ambitious and stimulating book, Peter Watson describes the history of ideas, from deep antiquity to the present day, leading to a new way of understanding our world and ourselves.The narrative begins nearly two million years ago with the invention of hand-axes and explores how some of our most cherished notions might have originated before humans had language. Then, in a broad sweep, the book moves forward to consider not the battles and treaties of kings and prime ministers, emperors and generals, but the most important ideas we have evolved, by which we live and which separate us from other animals. Watson explores the first languages and the first words, the birth of the gods, the origins of art, the profound intellectual consequences of money. He describes the invention of writing, early ideas about law, why sacrifice and the soul have proved so enduring in religion. He explains how ideas about time evolved, how numbers were conceived, how science, medicine, sociology, economics, and capitalism came into being. He shows how the discovery of the New World changed forever the way that we think, and why Chinese creativity faded after the Middle Ages.In the course of this commanding narrative, Watson reveals the linkages down the ages in the ideas of many apparently disparate philosophers, astronomers, religious leaders, biologists, inventors, poets, jurists, and scores of others. Aristotle jostles with Aquinas, Ptolemy with Photius, Kalidasa with Zhu Xi, Beethoven with Strindberg, Jefferson with Freud. Ideas is a seminal work.
Reviews
Review this book!
Available Copies
More Photos
Ideas: A History. From Fire to Freud. [Two Volume Set]
by Peter Watson
- Condition
- Used - Very Good
- Published
- 2009
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA
- Item Price
-
£76.01
Show Details
Description:
Two volume pictorial blue cloth with a paper wrapped slipcase. Minor foxing to edges. Spines slightly concave (see images). Clean text with no previous owners' names or other markings.
7 x 10 in each Item Price
£76.01
Ideas: A History from Fire to Freud
by Watson, Peter
- Condition
- Used - Fine
- Jacket Condition
- Fine
- Published
- 2005
- Binding
- Hardcover
- ISBN
- 9780297607267
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
CARLSBAD , California, USA
- Item Price
-
£27.96
Show Details
Description:
Weidenfeld & Nicolson, 2005. xvi, 822 pages. A hugely ambitious and stimulating book. Bright and fine in fine dust jacket. [No International shipping on this item]. Hard Cover. Fine/Fine. Item Price
£27.96
Ideas: A History from Fire to Freud
by Peter Watson
- Condition
- Used - Very Good Condition
- Jacket Condition
- Very Good
- Edition
- First Edition
- Published
- 2005
- Binding
- Hardcover
- ISBN
- 9780297607267
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
Bowral, New South Wales, AUS
- Item Price
-
£13.33
Show Details
Description:
Weidenfeld & Nicolson, London, 2005. First Edition. Hardcover. Very Good Condition/Very Good. In this hugely ambitious and exciting book Peter Watson tells the history of ideas from prehistory to the present day, leading to a new way of telling the history of the world. The book begins over a million years ago with a discussion… Read more about this item Item Price
£13.33
Ideas: A History of Thought and Invention, from Fire to Freud
by Watson, Peter
- Condition
- Used - Good
- ISBN
- 9780060935641
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
Frederick, Maryland, USA
- Item Price
-
£4.71
Show Details
Description:
Harper Perennial. Used - Good. Good condition. A copy that has been read but remains intact. May contain markings such as bookplates, stamps, limited notes and highlighting, or a few light stains. Bundled media such as CDs, DVDs, floppy disks or access codes may not be included. Item Price
£4.71
Ideas: A History of Thought and Invention, from Fire to Freud
by Watson, Peter
- Condition
- UsedVeryGood
- ISBN
- 9780060935641
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
Skokie, Illinois, USA
- Item Price
-
£3.34
Show Details
Description:
UsedVeryGood. Signs of wear/scuffs on front/back cover but book is in very good condition. Text is mostly clean. Item Price
£3.34
Ideas - A History from Fire to Freud
by Peter Watson
- Condition
- Used - Very Good
- Published
- 2006
- Binding
- Softcover
- ISBN
- 9780753820896
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
Berry, New South Wales, AUS
- Item Price
-
£21.32
Show Details
Description:
Phoenix, London, 2006. Softcover. Very Good. Size: 8"-9" Tall. Previous owner's inscription in ink. Quantity Available: 1. Category: History; World History; ISBN: 0753820897. ISBN/EAN: 9780753820896. Pictures of this item not already displayed here available upon request. Inventory No: 33762. . 9780753820896 Item Price
£21.32
IDEAS: A HISTORY Fire to Freud : 2 Volume set in Slipcase
by Peter Watson
- Condition
- Used - Fine
- Jacket Condition
- No Jacket
- Published
- 2009
- Binding
- Hardcover
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
Letchworth Garden City, Hertfordshire, GBR
- Item Price
-
£120.00
Show Details
Description:
London: The Folio Society, 2009. Hardcover. Fine/No Jacket. 8vo - over 7¾ - 9¾" tall. Plain black paper covered slipcase, some minor external wear. Books as ew, bound uin blue illustrated cloth. May incur additional postage charges overseas.
Item Price
£120.00
Ideas : A History from Fire to Freud
by Watson, Peter
- Condition
- Used - Fine
- Jacket Condition
- Fine
- Edition
- First Edition
- Published
- 2005
- Binding
- Hardcover
- ISBN
- 9780297607267
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
Johannesburg, ZAF
- Item Price
-
£16.80
Show Details
Description:
Weidenfeld & Nicolson, 2005. First Edition. Hardcover. Fine/Fine. heavy, extra postage may be required outside South Africa. mild shelf wear on both book and jacket. internally clean and healthy. excellent binding. very fine copy.[SK]. Our orders are shipped using tracked courier delivery services. Item Price
£16.80
IDEAS: A HISTORY From Wittgenstein to the World Wide Web : 2 Volume set in Slipcase
by Peter Watson
- Condition
- Used - Fine
- Jacket Condition
- No Jacket
- Published
- 2009
- Binding
- Hardcover
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
Letchworth Garden City, Hertfordshire, GBR
- Item Price
-
£120.00
Show Details
Description:
London: The Folio Society, 2009. Hardcover. Fine/No Jacket. 8vo - over 7¾ - 9¾" tall. Plain black paper covered slipcase, some minor external wear. Books as ew, bound uin blue illustrated cloth. May incur additional postage charges overseas.
Item Price
£120.00
Ideas : A History of Thought and Invention, from Fire to Freud
by Peter Watson
- Condition
- Used - Good
- Published
- 2006
- Binding
- Paperback
- ISBN
- 9780060935641
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
Seattle, Washington, USA
- Item Price
-
£5.09
Show Details
Description:
HarperCollins Publishers, 2006. Paperback. Good. Pages can have notes/highlighting. Spine may show signs of wear. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less.Dust jacket quality is not guaranteed. Item Price
£5.09
Ideas: A History of Thought and Invention, from Fire to Freud
by Watson, Peter
- Condition
- Used - Acceptable
- ISBN
- 9780060935641
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
Eugene , Oregon, USA
- Item Price
-
£3.99
Show Details
Description:
Harper Perennial. Used - Acceptable. Paperback The item is fairly worn but still readable. Signs of wear include aesthetic issues such as scratches, worn covers, damaged binding. The item may have identifying markings on it or show other signs of previous use. May have page creases, creased spine, bent cover or markings inside. Packed with care, shipped promptly.… Read more about this item Item Price
£3.99
More Photos
Ideas: A History from Fire to Freud
by Watson, Peter
- Condition
- Used - Very Good
- Jacket Condition
- Very Good
- Published
- 2005
- Binding
- Hardcover
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
nr Canterbury, Kent, GBR
- Item Price
-
£18.00
Show Details
Description:
London, UK: Weidenfeld & Nicolson, 2005. Hardcover. Very Good/Very Good. 4to - over 9¾ - 12" tall. xx, 822pp. Cream cloth-covered boards, black titles on spine. Illustrated endpapers. 4to. A large and heavy volume requiring an additional charge for overseas delivery. Rubbed spine heel. Internally neat, clean, bright and tight. Dust jacket spine sun-faded, has light shelf… Read more about this item Item Price
£18.00
Ideas: A history from fire to Freud
by Watson, Peter
- Condition
- Used - Very Good
- Binding
- Hardback
- ISBN
- 9780297607267
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
GORING BY SEA, West Sussex, GBR
- Item Price
-
£2.88
Show Details
Description:
Hardback. Very Good. Item Price
£2.88
Ideas: A History of Thought and Invention, from Fire to Freud
by Watson, Peter
- Condition
- Used - Very Good
- Published
- 2006-09-26
- Binding
- Paperback
- ISBN
- 9780060935641
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
Boonsboro, Maryland, USA
- Item Price
-
£7.80
Show Details
Description:
Harper Perennial, 2006-09-26. Paperback. Very Good. 9x7x1. Softcover. Clean, unmarked pages. Crease, small tear on cover. Item Price
£7.80
Ideas : A History of Thought and Invention, from Fire to Freud
by Peter Watson
- Condition
- Used - Acceptable
- Published
- 2006
- Binding
- Paperback
- ISBN
- 9780060935641
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
Seattle, Washington, USA
- Item Price
-
£5.09
Show Details
Description:
HarperCollins Publishers, 2006. Paperback. Acceptable. Readable copy. Pages may have considerable notes/highlighting. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less.Dust jacket quality is not guaranteed. Item Price
£5.09
Ideas: A History - 4 volume set - From Fire to World Wide Web I
by Peter Watson
- Condition
- Used - Fine Condition
- Jacket Condition
- No Dust Jacket
- Published
- 2009
- Binding
- Hardcover (in Slipcase)
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
Mona Vale, New South Wales, AUS
- Item Price
-
£118.33
Show Details
Description:
Folio Society, UK, 2009. Hardcover (in Slipcase). Fine Condition/No Dust Jacket. Book Size: Large 8vo ( 9 to 11 inches). Item Type: Book. **Heavy Book. A Postage surcharge may be requested. Contact us BEFORE ordering for a quote. Click Ask Bookseller a Question** ** Due to excessive postage cost - this book will NOT be shipped… Read more about this item Item Price
£118.33
Ideas: A History of Thought and Invention, from Fire to Freud
by Watson, Peter
- Condition
- UsedGood
- ISBN
- 9780066210643
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
Tucker, Georgia, USA
- Item Price
-
£3.45
Show Details
Description:
UsedGood. All orders ship by next business day! This is a used hardcover book. Has no markings on pages. Pages have moderate wear. Dust jacket (if applicable) is not included. The cover/boards have moderate wear. Spine has been opened/creased. For USED books, we cannot guarantee supplemental materials such as CDs, DVDs, access codes and other materials. We are… Read more about this item Item Price
£3.45
Ideas : A History from Fire to Freud
by Peter Watson
- Condition
- Used - Good
- Binding
- Hardcover
- ISBN
- 9780297607267
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
Youngtown, Arizona, USA
- Item Price
-
£5.60
Show Details
Description:
Weidenfeld & Nicolson. Hardcover. Used - Good. Item Price
£5.60
Ideas: A History of Thought and Invention, from Fire to Freud
by Watson, Peter
- Condition
- Used - Acceptable
- Edition
- Annotated
- ISBN
- 9780060935641
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- Item Price
-
£6.84
Show Details
Description:
Harper Perennial. Annotated. Acceptable. Acceptable. Ship within 24hrs. Satisfaction 100% guaranteed. APO/FPO addresses supported Item Price
£6.84
IDEAS: A History of Thought and Invention, from Fire to Freud
by Watson, Peter
- Condition
- Used - Very Good -
- Jacket Condition
- No Jacket
- Published
- 2005
- Binding
- Paperback
- ISBN
- 9780066210643
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
Seneca, Pennsylvania, USA
- Item Price
-
£11.20
Show Details
Description:
New York: HarperPerennial, 2005. (2005), 822pp, illus., slight shelfwear to cover, some soiling to pg edges, contents clean.. Soft Cover. Very Good -/No Jacket. Item Price
£11.20