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A Short History of the World According to Sheep

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A Short History of the World According to Sheep

By: Sally Coulthard
Narrated by: Karen Cass
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About this listen

An addictively free-ranging survey of the massive impact that the domesticated ungulates of the genus Ovis have had on human history.

From the plains of ancient Mesopotamia to the rolling hills of medieval England to the vast sheep farms of modern-day Australia, sheep have been central to the human story.

Starting with our Neolithic ancestors' first forays into sheep-rearing nearly 10,000 years ago, these remarkable animals have fed us, clothed us, changed our diet and languages, helped us to win wars, decorated our homes and financed the conquest of large swathes of the earth. Enormous fortunes and new, society-changing industries have been made from the fleeces of sheep and cities shaped by shepherds' markets and meat trading.

Sally Coulthard weaves the rich and fascinating story of sheep into a vivid and colourful tapestry, thickly threaded with engaging anecdotes and remarkable ovine facts, whose multiple strands reflect the deep penetration of these woolly animals into every aspect of human society and culture.

©2020 Sally Coulthard (P)2020 Head of Zeus Animals Biological Sciences Environment Outdoors & Nature Science Ancient History War Textile History

Critic Reviews

"This book deserves a place in your bookcase next to Harari's Sapiens. It's every bit as fascinating and is surely destined to be just as successful." (Julian Norton)

All stars
Most relevant
Wide ranging and interesting, thought it would be fun, but also interesting and tied a lot of history together. About time we thought of history that isn't just kings and wars.

Unexpected favourite

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My grandparents were sheep wool farmers and I’d never given it much thought until reading this book. What a fascinating look into human history with our best buddy, the sheep.

Way more interesting than I thought it would be

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Loved it and her information and knowledge on the humble sheep was so so amazing

Fascinating

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So good I was surprised to say the least. What a wonderful and expansive look into a world I had never thought about.

surprise its not what you thought it was

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A delight to listen to - insightful and informative. Now I want to sit down and knit…

Surprising and very interesting

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In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.