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  • A Short History of the World According to Sheep

  • By: Sally Coulthard
  • Narrated by: Karen Cass
  • Length: 6 hrs and 14 mins
  • 4.8 out of 5 stars (9 ratings)

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A Short History of the World According to Sheep

By: Sally Coulthard
Narrated by: Karen Cass
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Publisher's Summary

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

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) 

What listeners say about A Short History of the World According to Sheep

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Fascinating stuff beautifully narrated!

Really enjoyed this book and learned a lot more than just about sheep! The narration was perfect for the topic too.

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Great book!

I really enjoyed reading this book. It’s short, and to the point, with lots of interesting facts. If you are at all interested in wool, fibre arts or a brief history of agriculture, this is a great book to start with.

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Informative and an engaging listen

This is a short but enjoyable listen. The book cleverly weaves together the history of sheep farming with changes in modern society. Concise and clearly written, and narrated similarly well.

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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.