Land

How the Hunger for Ownership Shaped the Modern World

By: Simon Winchester

Narrated by: Simon Winchester

“In many ways, Land combines bits and pieces of many of Winchester’s previous books into a satisfying, globe-trotting whole.... Winchester is, once again, a consummate guide.” (Boston Globe)

The author of The Professor and the Madman, The Map That Changed the World, and The Perfectionists explores the notion of property - bought, earned, or received; in Europe, Africa, North America, or the South Pacific - through human history, how it has shaped us and what it will mean for our future.

Land - whether meadow or mountainside, desert or peat bog, parkland or pasture, suburb or city - is central to our existence. It quite literally underlies and underpins everything. Employing the keen intellect, insatiable curiosity, and narrative verve that are the foundations of his previous bestselling works, Simon Winchester examines what we human beings are doing - and have done - with the billions of acres that together make up the solid surface of our planet.

Land: How the Hunger for Ownership Shaped the Modern World examines in depth how we acquire land, how we steward it, how and why we fight over it, and finally, how we can, and on occasion do, come to share it. Ultimately, Winchester confronts the essential question: who actually owns the world’s land - and why does it matter?

Supplemental enhancement PDF accompanies the audiobook.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your Library section along with the audio.

©2021 Simon Winchester (P)2021 HarperCollins Publishers

Very good but not great

Numerous interesting chapters about different historical cultures but some dragged on. Worthwhile despite not being gripping.

Exceptionally Narrated by the Author Himself

Enjoyed the heck out of this story - each chapter is a historical story in its own and at times disparate but the authors narration keeps u staying for each and in the end he ties it together nicely…

so many good stories

well narrated, the book takes us through the meaning of land as it shapes history and human behavior.

Amazing

I’ve read 7 or 8 of Winchester’s books and always enjoy them immensely. Listening to this audio book, narrated by the author, enriched the experience.

As always, Winchester finds incredibly fascinating tales to tell that support his larger narrative.

A poignant and timely examination of the cultural concept of land ownership

Simon Winchester’s clever narrative examines the historical and geographical concept of land ownership and its many discontents. Often times challenging, but ultimately rewarding.

Should authors read their own books?

Simon Winchester is an awesome narrator. I’ve listened to three or four of his books.

More fascinating than the title might imply

Historian/ geologist/journalist Winchester examines hidden stories from all over the world, concerning the many ways humans have stolen land from each other and the fewer ways humans protect the land and the people who have lived on it.

Much to learn

This is a large topic to tackle, but Simon Winchester managed it well. I appreciate his details and how much history I learned. This expanded my horizons in all the senses of that metaphor.

Another Great Book

Simon Winchester has put together another great read. Spanning continents and centuries, it is interesting and educational. Highly recommend.

Audiobook Version is the Best!

The only thing better to me than a Simon Winchester book is a Simon Winchester audiobook. This man's voice soothes me, like being read to by a treasured grandfather figure. There's nothing worse than an author who sounds like he is going through a tedious task of reading his own book. Not here. Simon is thrilled to be reading his book, one can tell, and I was thrilled to be listening to him do it.

Admission: I'm an attorney by trade. Before particularly tense hearings I often pull out my cell phone and my earbuds and listen to Simon read to me. True. He helps me concentrate in the way some people listen to music to help them feel motivated. It's quite remarkable really.

I buy everything this man does. He's my favorite nonfiction author. He's as interesting as all get out, he writes beautifully phrased narrative, he's fun(!) he has a subtle sense of humor I adore, he's curious, it seems, about the same things you're curious about, uncanny — this wonderful man has it in spades.

Simon Winchester's writing keeps getting better. I highly recommend this book! Mr. Winchester's voice is one huge cherry on top!

I hope I've helped.