Archaeologist and historian Ian Morris explains that Western dominance is largely the result of the effects of geography on the everyday efforts of ordinary people as they deal with crises of resources, disease, migration, and climate. As geography and human ingenuity continue to interact, however, the world over the next hundred years will subsequently change in astonishing ways, transforming Western rule in the process.

Reprint. Originally published: New York : Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2010.

Before East and West -- The West takes the lead -- Taking the measure of the past -- The East catches up -- Neck and neck -- Decline and fall -- The Eastern age -- Going global -- The West catches up -- The Western age -- Why the West rules ... -- ... For now -- Appendix : On social development.