Find out from one of the leading public intellectuals of our time what we can learn from traditional societies. Jared Diamond, a National Geographic Explorer-in-Residence and Pulitzer Prize-winning author of Guns, Germs and Steel and Collapse, explores this topic in his new book The World Until Yesterday.

Until 11,000 years ago, all human beings lived in traditional hunter-gatherer societies. The development of agriculture, bringing with it large cities, inequality, constant easy access to food and a sedentary lifestyle, brought huge changes to our way of life to which our bodies haven’t yet adapted. Drawing on his own experiences in New Guinea as well as the work of many other writers, anthropologists, explorers, and researchers, Diamond surveys traditional societies around the world, analyzing how they deal with war and peace, criminal justice and social harmony, treatment of children and the elderly, and threats found in their environments. Without romanticizing these cultures, he suggests that traditional societies have much to teach us about these and other issues.

An erudite but witty and entertaining writer, Jared Diamond is also a fascinating speaker. Enjoy this rare opportunity to hear him discuss his latest book, just days after its publication.

Dr. Diamond’s presentation will be followed by a book sale and signing.