Windswept: Walking the paths of trailbrazing women/ The dawn of everything: A new history of humanity

 Two books read whilst away the last two weeks contained relevance to my work. I picked these up from the library, the day before I embarked on two weeks of R & R down in Stewart Island and in Central Otago. The weather was mixed, allowing for time to get stuck into these two very interesting reads, in between walking/botanising/bird-watching when the weather cooperated.

1) Windswept: Walking the paths of trailblazing women, published 2021 and authored by Annabel Abbs who followed the footsteps of several women to better understand their motivations as walkers. Most of the women featured, walked at a time when few women at the opportunity to undertake solo or independent travel. Therefore, most were artists or writers, who were able to be self-supporting and who undertook walking, either as daily pursuits or as longer walking journeys. Of note, is how each 'found themselves' through the physical processes of walking, used the opportunities provided during long walking expeditions to introspect and deepen their creative imagery, and established their independence at a time when women at fewer rights. The chapter titles, encapsulate the themes explored and discussed. They include searching for freedom, for self and solitude, of being and meaning, for body, space and home. Each chapter features well-known and more obscure women, as they 'walk to become' and to find themselves, freedom and meaning.

2) The dawn of everything: A new history of humanity, by David Graeber and David Wengrow and published 2021. Both the authors work in anthropology and archeology. The book provides an alternative view, backed by several decades of recent studies in anthropology and archeology, to establish, develop and substantiate their argument of how humankind's history was not a staid pathway from nomadism into agriculture/city states etc. but through much more varied (and often egalitarian) social structures and economic organisation. It provides a good overview of pre-history as it has been interpreted (albeit through a Westernised lens) and how newer indigenous perspectives (especially through American indigenous examples), force a shift and questioning of the beginnings of farming, property ownership, the formation of city states, the conception of democratic institutions and what constitutes civilisation. 

The book has an extensive (150 pages) of notes for follow up and a comprehensive index.