Summary of James C. Scott's Against the Grain

Please note: This is a companion version & not the original book. Book Preview: #1 The case for the use of fire being the decisive transformation in the fortunes of hominids is clear. Fire was mankind’s oldest and greatest tool for reshaping the natural world. It was used to clear old vegetation and encourage a host of quick-colonizing grasses and shrubs, many of which bore desired seeds, berries, fruits, and nuts. #2 The use of fire to clear land and open the canopy was the key to humankind