Lincoln Paine wants to change your view of the world. He wants you to focus on the blue parts of the map that cover over 70% of the world’s surface. In his book, The Sea and Civilization, he makes that case that mankind’s technological and social adaptation to the water has been a driving force in human history, whether it was to wage war, or for migration or commerce.
Perhaps Jared Diamond’s great book Guns, Germs and Steel should have been Guns, Germs, Steel and Boats. Paine makes the case by telling the tales of recorded history through the lens of the seas.
At times he succeeds. At other times, the book comes across as a rote recital of history. There were several places in the book where I wanted more insight. Paine is incredibly thorough, hitting most of the major events affected by sea travel. I wish there was more depth instead of breadth.
