Current non-fiction reading

[connatic]

I have long been interested in the emergence of civilization, the formation of early city-states, the emergence of the first nation states, and the development of writing. I was really impressed by the agricultural hypothesis (Peter Bellwood: "First Farmers") and enjoyed Toby Wilkinson's "Early Dynastic Egypt". In that department, I'm currently reading JN Postgate's "Early Mesopotamia": well-written, accessible, with frequent quotes from the original sources and not sticking to the traditional history listing dynasties, kings and cities. Mind you, not exactly light reading, but then this is the non-fluffy, non-work part of my reading so there's no reason to keep it light. In Heidi's eyes, it does confirm my essential dorkiness, but so be it.