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The Swerve
368 pages, 2011
philosophy
711 books
science & nature
1064 books
spirituality & religion
408 booksWinner of the 2012 Pulitzer Prize for Non-Fiction. Winner of the 2011 National Book Award for Non-Fiction. One of the world's most celebrated scholars, Stephen Greenblatt has crafted both an innovative work of history and a thrilling story of discovery, in which one manuscript, plucked from a thousand years of neglect, changed the course of human thought and made possible the world as we know it.
Nearly six hundred years ago, a short, genial, cannily alert man in his late thirties took an old manuscript off a library shelf, saw with excitement what he had discovered, and ordered that it be copied.
That book was the last surviving manuscript of an ancient Roman philosophical epic, On the Nature of Things by Lucretius―a beautiful poem of dangerous ideas: that the universe functioned without the aid of gods; that religious fear was damaging to human life; and that matter was made up of minimal particles in eternal motion.
In his thrilling new book The Swerve: How the World Became Modern, Stephen Greenblatt takes us back to this momentous period when new ideas about nature were emerging from antiquity ―and into a world alive with fresh starts and renewed quests for knowledge.
In The Swerve, Stephen Greenblatt explores how the rediscovery of an ancient poem changed the course of history. It shows us that ideas, even those from centuries ago, can have a profound impact on our world. So, next time you have an idea, don't dismiss it. It might just change the world.
The book tells the story of Poggio Bracciolini, a 15th-century book hunter who stumbled upon a copy of 'On the Nature of Things' by Lucretius. His curiosity led him to dig deeper into the text, leading to a cultural shift. This teaches us to always stay curious and explore the unknown.
Greenblatt's book highlights the influence of ancient texts on modern thought. The poem 'On the Nature of Things' introduced radical ideas like atomism and challenged religious beliefs. This shows us how ancient texts can still shape our thinking and challenge our beliefs today.
The Swerve shows us how chance plays a significant role in history. If Poggio hadn't found the poem, the world might be a different place. It's a reminder that sometimes, things just happen by chance, and these random events can have a huge impact on our lives.
Poggio's relentless search for ancient texts in The Swerve is a testament to the power of persistence. Despite numerous challenges, he never gave up. This teaches us the value of persistence in our own lives. No matter how tough things get, keep going. You never know what you might find.
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The Swerve is a thrillingly suspenseful and intellectually gripping exploration of how the world became modern.
James Wood - Literary CriticGreenblatt's The Swerve is a brilliant and beautifully written book.
Anthony Grafton - HistorianThe Swerve is a masterly work of history and a delight to read.
Adam Kirsch - Poet, CriticRecommendations
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