The Verdict of History: From Antiquity to 2020

"The Verdict of History: From Antiquity to 2020" is a survey of the human experience and a brief examination of the evolution of civilization. It looks at the great events of the past for meaning in our long struggles through war and peace; and it searches for the important themes that can help us to understand our own times. The references in the text are not authoritative, but elucidations of my own opinions. The narrative repeats many ideas that others have already expressed. My aim is not originality, but inclusiveness.

"The Verdict of History: From Antiquity to 2020" is divided into two sections. Part one embraces the history of humanity, and the author has tried to see the present in the light of the past. There was an attempt to examine what history has to say about the prospects for our human race. Part two is a timeline of human events. There was an effort to give different epochs a context, and make connections with the patterns of human behavior. Early humans have adapted to the Earth's changing conditions. The ability to learn and share experiences has allowed humans to dominate the other animals on the planet. Farming has transformed family-based communities into settled cities and states with new power structures and written records. The pace of change has accelerated in a world of increasing innovation, fueled by the rise of industry and the needs of increasingly interconnected populations. But through it all, the nature of humankind has changed very little.

Wayne Douglas Smith studied at the College of William and Mary in Virginia, concentrating in history and physics. He earned his Ph.D. in clinical psychology and was employed as a psychologist for forty years. Wayne lives in Virginia Beach with his wife, Kale Warren.