Advance Praise for APOCALYPSE

Lizzie Wade is an exceptional journalist and a master storyteller. In APOCALYPSE, she peels back the many myths of the present to reveal the true stories of past apocalypses, and perhaps more important, what happened afterward. She reminds us that survival always has been, and still is, possible, and that our world always has been, and still is, a choice.  — Ed Yong, author of An Immense World

This book upended my understanding of the ancient world. Wade renders our deep past in vivid prose, teaching me that the collapse of a civilization isn’t always what it seems, and what comes after might not be what we'd assumed. Times of great rupture also bring great possibilities for new ways of living. Collapse can open space for liberation, if we let it. Never has the field of archeology felt so vibrant or vital to we who live now. — Zoë Schlanger, author of The Light Eaters

An extraordinary book. Wade tells the stories of ancient peoples experiencing their own apocalypses with vivacity and tenderness. By showing us the ways in which they were transformed—even in the midst of catastrophe—she invites us to turn away from despair and apathy and embrace the creativity and compassion that has made humans so resilient. — Jennifer Raff, author of Origin and associate professor of anthropology at the University of Kansas

The world has ended many times and usually, amazingly, humans keep going. Rooted in solid science that never loses sight of the human and the possible, this book shows us why good stories and an understanding of history matter more than ever. — Agustín Fuentes, author of The Creative Spark and professor of anthropology at Princeton University

A fascinating dive into the tragedies—and comebacks—of those that came before us. Lizzie Wade combines detailed research with clear writing to bring these historical events to life—they’re stories that will stick with me for a long time. APOCALYPSE shows us the strength of human ingenuity, which we shouldn’t just admire but learn from, so that we can stand up to the problems we face today. — Hannah Ritchie, author of Not the End of the World and Senior Researcher in the Programme for Global Development at the University of Oxford

A timely examination of catastrophes that humanity has faced through history. There are lessons, warnings and solace to be drawn from this deep time perspective on the existential challenges facing us today. — Alice Roberts, author of Ancestors: The Prehistory of Britain in Seven Burials

With her knack for bringing the ancient world to life, Lizzie Wade turns the idea of apocalypse on its head, showing us how endings offer new opportunities for freedom, community building, and cultural change. APOCALYPSE is a fascinating chronicle of our deep past, written with extraordinary wisdom and clarity. — Annalee Newitz, author of The Terraformers and Four Lost Cities

We all know the images that portray life at the end of civilization—the survivors scrabbling through ruined cities. Strangely, though, anthropologists, archaeologists, historians, and geneticists have been studying the collapses of the past for decades, and—as Lizzie Wade’s crisp, superb APOCALYPSE makes clear—the drumbeat of Hollywood imagery bears little relation to what has happened, or what we could expect. The true story is more complex, more interesting, and—paradoxically—more hopeful. — Charles Mann, author of The Wizard and the Prophet and 1491

Lizzie Wade’s vivid descriptions bring the latest archaeological research to life in this fascinating and timely book. Despite its sobering subject matter, Apocalypse is ultimately an inspiring read, revealing how lessons from past crises can help us survive the looming apocalypse, which is likely to be the greatest challenge our species has ever encountered. — Jonathan Kennedy, author of Pathogenesis