Abstract
MR. GERALD HEARD, in his new book, has given us plenty to think about. The substantial merits of his work are, that it is a bold attempt at a comprehensive survey of human evolution, and that it is inspired throughout by a passionate belief that only by peace with his fellows, and a sense of harmony in the universe, can his full powers be developed, or rather, as Mr. Heard would say, can he escape his imminent destruction. In the first aspect—that of comprehensiveness—it is a brilliant expression of the current spirit which refuses more and more to limit the historical vision to politics and is eager more and more to trace backward by prehistoric discoveries the origin of the fundamental directions of human thought and action. It demands an evolutionary solidarity with all life.
The Source of Civilisation
By Gerald Heard. Pp. 431. (London and Toronto: Jonathan Cape, Ltd., 1935.) 12s.6d. net.
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution
Access options
Subscribe to this journal
Receive 51 print issues and online access
$199.00 per year
only $3.90 per issue
Buy this article
- Purchase on Springer Link
- Instant access to full article PDF
Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
MARVIN, F. The Source of Civilisation. Nature 136, 1008–1009 (1935). https://doi.org/10.1038/1361008a0
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/1361008a0
