The Powerful Primate: How Controlling Energy Enabled Us to Build Civilization

A captivating journey through humanity’s relentless quest to harness and control physical power, fueling groundbreaking innovations while leaving a profound impact on our planet—from the acclaimed author of The Age of Wood.

The Powerful Primate presents a compelling argument that flips the traditional view of humanity on its head. Rather than focusing solely on our intellectual abilities, author Roland Ennos argues it’s our physical power and engineering brilliance that have set us apart in the animal kingdom. From our bipedal ancestors wielding simple tools to modern humans mastering complex machinery, Ennos takes us on a gripping journey through the evolution of human dominance. Readers will learn the fascinating history of how humans have progressively harnessed energy from sources such as wood, animals, water, wind, sun, fossil fuels, and even atomic nuclei to fuel our rise as the most powerful species on Earth. Our ancestors’ ability to hit harder, throw further, and cut deeper than any other animal laid the groundwork for the development of agriculture, industry, and ultimately, modern civilization. Yet, this power has come at a cost: environmental degradation and societal challenges have arisen from our relentless pursuit of energy and technological advancement. There is hope, however—the same engineering skills that have brought us here can pave the way for a more sustainable future. Blending anthropology, biomechanics, and history, The Powerful Primate is a thought-provoking story of ambition, ingenuity, and the costs of progress—a must-read for anyone interested in the forces that shape human civilization.

© 2026 Simon & Schuster Audio (Audiobook): 9781668111055

Release date

Audiobook: 17 February 2026