Try now

Listen and read

Step into an infinite world of stories

  • Read and listen as much as you want
  • Over 950 000 titles
  • Exclusive titles + Storytel Originals
  • Easy to cancel anytime
Try now
image.devices-Singapore 2x
Cover for The Collapse of Complex Societies
Try now

The Collapse of Complex Societies

Try now
1 Ratings

4

Series

1 of 1

Duration
10H 26min
Language
English
Format
Category

History

Political disintegration is a persistent feature of world history. The Collapse of Complex Societies, though written by an archaeologist, will therefore strike a chord throughout the social sciences. Any explanation of societal collapse carries lessons not just for the study of ancient societies, but for the members of all such societies in both the present and future. Dr. Tainter describes nearly two dozen cases of collapse and reviews more than 2,000 years of explanations. He then develops a new and far-reaching theory that accounts for collapse among diverse kinds of societies, evaluating his model and clarifying the processes of disintegration by detailed studies of the Roman, Mayan, and Chacoan collapses. ©1988 Cambridge University Press. Produced and published by Echo Point Books & Media, an independent bookseller in Brattleboro, Vermont.

© 2024 Echo Point Books & Media, LLC (Audiobook): 9781666677072

Release date

Audiobook: 12 August 2024

Tags

Others also enjoyed ...

  1. Constantine’s Sword: The Church and the Jews; A History
    Constantine’s Sword: The Church and the Jews; A History James Carroll
  2. Straits: Beyond the Myth of Magellan: Beyond the Myth of Magellan
    Straits: Beyond the Myth of Magellan: Beyond the Myth of Magellan Felipe Fernández-Armesto
  3. Illiberal Europe: Eastern Europe from the Fall of the Berlin Wall to the War in Ukraine
    Illiberal Europe: Eastern Europe from the Fall of the Berlin Wall to the War in Ukraine Leon Marc
  4. God's Battalions: The Case for the Crusades
    God's Battalions: The Case for the Crusades Rodney Stark
  5. City on a Hill: Urban Idealism in America from the Puritans to the Present
    City on a Hill: Urban Idealism in America from the Puritans to the Present Alex Krieger
  6. How the Victorians Took Us to the Moon: The Story of the 19th-Century Innovators Who Forged Our Future
    How the Victorians Took Us to the Moon: The Story of the 19th-Century Innovators Who Forged Our Future Iwan Rhys Morus
  7. Command and Persuade: Crime, Law, and the State across History
    Command and Persuade: Crime, Law, and the State across History Peter Baldwin
  8. The Stripping of the Altars: Traditional Religion in England, 1400-1580
    The Stripping of the Altars: Traditional Religion in England, 1400-1580 Eamon Duffy
  9. The Lost World of Byzantium
    The Lost World of Byzantium Jonathan Harris
  10. The Byzantines and Ottomans: The History of the Medieval Middle East’s Most Influential Empires
    The Byzantines and Ottomans: The History of the Medieval Middle East’s Most Influential Empires Charles River Editors
  11. The Languages of the Ancient Near East: The History of the Languages and Scripts Developed across the Region in Antiquity
    The Languages of the Ancient Near East: The History of the Languages and Scripts Developed across the Region in Antiquity Charles River Editors
  12. China and Russia: Four Centuries of Conflict and Concord
    China and Russia: Four Centuries of Conflict and Concord Philip Snow
  13. Virtue Politics: Soulcraft and Statecraft in Renaissance Italy
    Virtue Politics: Soulcraft and Statecraft in Renaissance Italy James Hankins
  14. The Crossing: El Paso, the Southwest, and America’s Forgotten Origin Story
    The Crossing: El Paso, the Southwest, and America’s Forgotten Origin Story Richard Parker
  15. The Dissolution of the Monasteries: A New History
    The Dissolution of the Monasteries: A New History James G. Clark
  16. After Nationalism: Being American in an Age of Division
    After Nationalism: Being American in an Age of Division Samuel Goldman
  17. Jewish Life in Medieval Spain: A New History
    Jewish Life in Medieval Spain: A New History Jonathan Ray
  18. Bridling Dictators: Rules and Authoritarian Politics
    Bridling Dictators: Rules and Authoritarian Politics Graeme Gill
  19. Rome and Attila: Rome’s Greatest Enemy
    Rome and Attila: Rome’s Greatest Enemy Nick Holmes
  20. Smashing the Liquor Machine: A Global History of Prohibition
    Smashing the Liquor Machine: A Global History of Prohibition Mark Lawrence Schrad
  21. China’s Good War: How World War II Is Shaping a New Nationalism
    China’s Good War: How World War II Is Shaping a New Nationalism Rana Mitter
  22. Slavery and Social Death: A Comparative Study, With a New Preface
    Slavery and Social Death: A Comparative Study, With a New Preface Orlando Patterson
  23. African Founders: How Enslaved People Expanded American Ideals
    African Founders: How Enslaved People Expanded American Ideals David Hackett Fischer
  24. The Demon in Democracy: Totalitarian Temptations in Free Societies
    The Demon in Democracy: Totalitarian Temptations in Free Societies Ryszard Legutko
  25. Postcards from Absurdistan: Prague at the End of History
    Postcards from Absurdistan: Prague at the End of History Derek Sayer
  26. The Good State: On the Principles of Democracy
    The Good State: On the Principles of Democracy A. C. Grayling
  27. America's Original Sin: White Supremacy, John Wilkes Booth, and the Lincoln Assassination
    America's Original Sin: White Supremacy, John Wilkes Booth, and the Lincoln Assassination John Rhodehamel
  28. Europe without Borders: A History
    Europe without Borders: A History Issac Stanley-Becker
  29. The Hardhat Riot: Nixon, New York City, and the Dawn of the White Working-Class Revolution
    The Hardhat Riot: Nixon, New York City, and the Dawn of the White Working-Class Revolution David Paul Kuhn
  30. Piracy and the Making of the Spanish Pacific World
    Piracy and the Making of the Spanish Pacific World Kristie Patricia Flannery
  31. The Picts: A History
    The Picts: A History Tim Clarkson
  32. The Courtier and the Heretic: Leibniz, Spinoza, and the Fate of God in the Modern World
    The Courtier and the Heretic: Leibniz, Spinoza, and the Fate of God in the Modern World Matthew Stewart
  33. To Govern the Globe: World Orders and Catastrophic Change
    To Govern the Globe: World Orders and Catastrophic Change Alfred W. McCoy
  34. The Sorrows of Empire: Militarism, Secrecy, and the End of the Republic
    The Sorrows of Empire: Militarism, Secrecy, and the End of the Republic Chalmers Johnson
  35. The Twilight Struggle: What the Cold War Teaches Us about Great-Power Rivalry Today
    The Twilight Struggle: What the Cold War Teaches Us about Great-Power Rivalry Today Hal Brands
  36. A New Ireland: How Europe's Most Conservative Country Became Its Most Liberal
    A New Ireland: How Europe's Most Conservative Country Became Its Most Liberal Niall O'Dowd
  37. The Spice Ports: Mapping the Origins of the Global Sea Trade
    The Spice Ports: Mapping the Origins of the Global Sea Trade Nicholas Nugent
  38. The Rise and Fall of the Second American Republic: Reconstruction, 1860-1920
    The Rise and Fall of the Second American Republic: Reconstruction, 1860-1920 Manisha Sinha
  39. Never Turn Back: China and the Forbidden History of the 1980s
    Never Turn Back: China and the Forbidden History of the 1980s Julian Gewirtz
  40. History in the House: Some Remarkable Dons and the Teaching of Politics, Character and Statecraft
    History in the House: Some Remarkable Dons and the Teaching of Politics, Character and Statecraft Richard Davenport-Hines
  41. Standoff
    Standoff Bill Schneider
  42. The Riddle of the Rosetta: How an English Polymath and a French Polyglot Discovered the Meaning of Egyptian Hieroglyphs
    The Riddle of the Rosetta: How an English Polymath and a French Polyglot Discovered the Meaning of Egyptian Hieroglyphs Jed Z. Buchwald
  43. The Making of Modern India: The History of India from the Middle Ages to Independence from Britain
    The Making of Modern India: The History of India from the Middle Ages to Independence from Britain Charles River Editors
  44. They Called It Peace: Worlds of Imperial Violence
    They Called It Peace: Worlds of Imperial Violence Lauren Benton
  45. The Great Betrayal: The Struggle for Freedom and Democracy in the Middle East
    The Great Betrayal: The Struggle for Freedom and Democracy in the Middle East Fawaz A. Gerges
  46. Mapping the Great Game: Explorers, Spies, and Maps in 19th-Century Asia
    Mapping the Great Game: Explorers, Spies, and Maps in 19th-Century Asia Riaz Dean
  47. Living I Was Your Plague: Martin Luther's World and Legacy
    Living I Was Your Plague: Martin Luther's World and Legacy Lyndal Roper
  48. When the Tea Party Comes to Town: Inside the U.S. House of Representatives' Most Combative, Dysfunctional, and Infuriating Term in Modern History
    When the Tea Party Comes to Town: Inside the U.S. House of Representatives' Most Combative, Dysfunctional, and Infuriating Term in Modern History Robert Draper
  49. Beer in the Middle Ages and the Renaissance
    Beer in the Middle Ages and the Renaissance Richard W. Unger
  50. The Search for Modern China
    The Search for Modern China Jonathan D. Spence
  51. Debunking Howard Zinn: Exposing the Fake History That Turned a Generation Against America
    Debunking Howard Zinn: Exposing the Fake History That Turned a Generation Against America Mary Grabar
  52. The False Cause: Fraud, Fabrication, and White Supremacy in Confederate Memory
    The False Cause: Fraud, Fabrication, and White Supremacy in Confederate Memory Adam H. Domby
  53. Near Abroad: Putin, the West, and the Contest over Ukraine and the Caucasus
    Near Abroad: Putin, the West, and the Contest over Ukraine and the Caucasus Gerard Toal
  54. Cold Peace: Avoiding the New Cold War
    Cold Peace: Avoiding the New Cold War Michael W. Doyle
  55. Against the World: Anti-Globalism and Mass Politics Between the World Wars
    Against the World: Anti-Globalism and Mass Politics Between the World Wars Tara Zahra
  56. The Children of Athena: Greek writers and thinkers in the Age of Rome, 150 BC–AD 400
    The Children of Athena: Greek writers and thinkers in the Age of Rome, 150 BC–AD 400 Charles Freeman
  57. Most Blessed of the Patriarchs
    Most Blessed of the Patriarchs Annette Gordon-Reed
  58. Martin Van Buren: America's First Politician
    Martin Van Buren: America's First Politician James M. Bradley
  59. Daydream Believers: How a Few Grand Ideas Wrecked American Power
    Daydream Believers: How a Few Grand Ideas Wrecked American Power Fred Kaplan
  60. Presidential Elections and Majority Rule: The Rise, Demise, and Potential Restoration of the Jeffersonian Electoral College
    Presidential Elections and Majority Rule: The Rise, Demise, and Potential Restoration of the Jeffersonian Electoral College Edward B. Foley
  61. The Celts: A Modern History
    The Celts: A Modern History Ian Stewart
  62. An Empire of Laws: Legal Pluralism in British Colonial Policy
    An Empire of Laws: Legal Pluralism in British Colonial Policy Christian R. Burset
  63. Hot Protestants: A History of Puritanism in England and America
    Hot Protestants: A History of Puritanism in England and America Michael P. Winship
  64. The Age of Atlantic Revolution: The Fall and Rise of a Connected World
    The Age of Atlantic Revolution: The Fall and Rise of a Connected World Patrick Griffin
  65. The First Thousand Years: A Global History of Christianity
    The First Thousand Years: A Global History of Christianity Robert Louis Wilken
  66. Give Me Liberty: Speakers and Speeches That Have Shaped America
    Give Me Liberty: Speakers and Speeches That Have Shaped America Christopher L. Webber
  67. In the Dragon's Shadow: Southeast Asia in the Chinese Century
    In the Dragon's Shadow: Southeast Asia in the Chinese Century Sebastian Strangio
  68. Vienna: The International Capital
    Vienna: The International Capital Angus Robertson
  69. The Rise of Anarchism: From Historical Roots to Modern Movements
    The Rise of Anarchism: From Historical Roots to Modern Movements Arlo Holders
  70. The World Turned Upside Down: America, China, and the Struggle for Global Leadership
    The World Turned Upside Down: America, China, and the Struggle for Global Leadership Clyde Prestowitz
  71. Anti-System Politics: The Crisis of Market Liberalism in Rick Democracies: The Crisis of Market Liberalism in Rich Democracies
    Anti-System Politics: The Crisis of Market Liberalism in Rick Democracies: The Crisis of Market Liberalism in Rich Democracies Jonathan Hopkin
  72. Out of Istanbul: A Journey of Discovery along the Silk Road
    Out of Istanbul: A Journey of Discovery along the Silk Road Bernard Ollivier
  73. The Soviet Sixties
    The Soviet Sixties Robert Hornsby
  74. The Cambridge History of Warfare
    The Cambridge History of Warfare Geoffrey Parker
  75. What the Greeks Did for Us
    What the Greeks Did for Us Tony Spawforth
  76. Kingdom of Nauvoo: The Rise and Fall of a Religious Empire on the American Frontier
    Kingdom of Nauvoo: The Rise and Fall of a Religious Empire on the American Frontier Benjamin E. Park
  77. Rivals: How the Power Struggle between China, India, and Japan Will Shape Our Next Decade
    Rivals: How the Power Struggle between China, India, and Japan Will Shape Our Next Decade Bill Emmott
  78. The Maisky Diaries: Red Ambassador to the Court of St James's, 1932-1943
    The Maisky Diaries: Red Ambassador to the Court of St James's, 1932-1943 Gabriel Gorodetsky
  79. Alexander Hamilton and the Battle of Yorktown, October 1781: The Winning of American Independence
    Alexander Hamilton and the Battle of Yorktown, October 1781: The Winning of American Independence Phillip Thomas Tucker, PhD
  80. Saudi Arabia: A Modern History
    Saudi Arabia: A Modern History David Commins
  81. When Money Talks: A History of Coins and Numismatics
    When Money Talks: A History of Coins and Numismatics Frank L. Holt
  82. Rightful Heritage: Franklin D. Roosevelt and the Land of America
    Rightful Heritage: Franklin D. Roosevelt and the Land of America Douglas Brinkley
  83. The Boy Generals: George Custer, Wesley Merritt, and the Cavalry of the Army of the Potomac: From the Gettysburg Retreat Through the Shenandoah Valley Campaign of 1864
    The Boy Generals: George Custer, Wesley Merritt, and the Cavalry of the Army of the Potomac: From the Gettysburg Retreat Through the Shenandoah Valley Campaign of 1864 Adolfo Ovies
  84. Europe Between the Oceans: 9000 BC-AD 1000
    Europe Between the Oceans: 9000 BC-AD 1000 Barry Cunliffe
  85. Abraham Lincoln and the American Civil War
    Abraham Lincoln and the American Civil War Dan Monroe
  86. The Victorian Internet: The Remarkable Story of the Telegraph and the Nineteenth Century's On-line Pioneers
    The Victorian Internet: The Remarkable Story of the Telegraph and the Nineteenth Century's On-line Pioneers Tom Standage
  87. The Ever-Changing Past: Why All History Is Revisionist History
    The Ever-Changing Past: Why All History Is Revisionist History James M. Banner, Jr.
  88. Presidents, Populism, and the Crisis of Democracy
    Presidents, Populism, and the Crisis of Democracy William G. Howell
  89. Return of the Strong Gods: Nationalism, Populism, and the Future of the West
    Return of the Strong Gods: Nationalism, Populism, and the Future of the West R.R. Reno
  90. Evolutionary History: A Captivating Guide to the Theory of Evolution, Evolutionary History, and Human Evolution
    Evolutionary History: A Captivating Guide to the Theory of Evolution, Evolutionary History, and Human Evolution Captivating History
  91. Christianity at the Crossroads: The Reformations of the Sixteenth and Seventeenth Centuries
    Christianity at the Crossroads: The Reformations of the Sixteenth and Seventeenth Centuries Thomas F. Madden
  92. Seeing Reds: The Red Scare of 1918-1919: Canada’s First War on Terror
    Seeing Reds: The Red Scare of 1918-1919: Canada’s First War on Terror Daniel Francis

Start with these

View all titles
  1. The Tenant
    The Tenant Freida McFadden
    3.9
  2. Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone
    Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone J.K. Rowling
    4.7
  3. My Weird School Special: Fright Night!
    My Weird School Special: Fright Night! Dan Gutman
    4.8
  4. Shield of Sparrows
    Shield of Sparrows Devney Perry
    4.5
  5. 弟弟不要怕
    弟弟不要怕 小邝
    5
  6. The Hunger Games
    The Hunger Games Suzanne Collins
    4.7
  7. Fourth Wing
    Fourth Wing Rebecca Yarros
    4.6
  8. The Housemaid: An absolutely addictive psychological thriller with a jaw-dropping twist
    The Housemaid: An absolutely addictive psychological thriller with a jaw-dropping twist Freida McFadden
    4.2
  9. Twisted Love
    Twisted Love Ana Huang
    3.7
  10. The Serpent and the Wings of Night: Crowns of Nyaxia, Book 1
    The Serpent and the Wings of Night: Crowns of Nyaxia, Book 1 Carissa Broadbent
    4.3
  11. A Court of Thorns and Roses (1 of 2) [Dramatized Adaptation]: A Court of Thorns and Roses 1
    A Court of Thorns and Roses (1 of 2) [Dramatized Adaptation]: A Court of Thorns and Roses 1 Sarah J. Maas
    4.3
  12. Quicksilver: The Fae & Alchemy Series, Book 1
    Quicksilver: The Fae & Alchemy Series, Book 1 Callie Hart
    4.4
  13. From Blood and Ash (1 of 2) [Dramatized Adaptation]: Blood and Ash 1
    From Blood and Ash (1 of 2) [Dramatized Adaptation]: Blood and Ash 1 Jennifer L. Armentrout
    4.3
  14. Never Lie
    Never Lie Freida McFadden
    3.9
  15. Ratburger
    Ratburger David Walliams
    4.5

Features:

  • Over 950 000 titles

  • Kids Mode (child safe environment)

  • Download books for offline access

  • Cancel anytime

Most popular

Unlimited

For those who want to listen and read without limits.

S$12.98 /month
3 days for free

  • 1 account

  • Unlimited Access

  • Unlimited listening

  • Cancel anytime

Try now

Unlimited Bi-yearly

For those who want to listen and read without limits.

S$69 /6 months
14 days for free
Save 11%

  • 1 account

  • Unlimited Access

  • Unlimited listening

  • Cancel anytime

Try now

Unlimited Yearly

For those who want to listen and read without limits.

S$119 /year
14 days for free
Save 24%

  • 1 account

  • Unlimited Access

  • Unlimited listening

  • Cancel anytime

Try now

Family

For those who want to share stories with family and friends.

From S$14.90/month

  • 2-3 accounts

  • Unlimited Access

  • Unlimited listening

  • Cancel anytime

2 accounts

S$14.90 /month
Try now
Company
Explore
Useful links
Language and region

  • English

  • Singapore

  • app_store_button
  • google_play_button
Follow us