Book talk: Peak Human - What We Can Learn from History's Greatest Civilizations

Join historian and bestselling author Johan Norberg for a thought-provoking book talk on his latest work, Peak Human, as he explores the lessons of past golden ages and their urgent relevance today.

Start time: 2025-11-19 at 12:00

End time: 2025-11-19 at 00:00

Location: Torsten, Stockholm School of Economics, Bertil Ohlins gata 4

All golden ages are marked by periods of spectacular cultural flourishing, scientific exploration, technological achievement and economic growth; yet no two are the same. Their beliefs, societies and place in the wider world all vary. Despite this, all previous golden ages have ended, whether it be because of external pressures or internal fracturing; too much hubris or too little wariness.

Date & Time: November 19th, 12:00-13:00
Location: Torsten, Stockholm School of Economics, Bertil Ohlins gata 4

A light lunch will be served at 11:30.

About the book
Looking at seven of humanity's greatest civilisations - ancient Athens, the Roman Republic, Abbasid Baghdad, Song China, Renaissance Italy, the Dutch Republic and the Anglosphere - historian and author Johan Norberg seeks to distil their strengths and shortcomings in answering the question: how do we ensure that our current golden age doesn't end?

About the author
Johan Norberg is a senior fellow at the Cato Institute and an internationally recognized writer on globalization, progress, and ideas. He is the author and editor of more than 20 books, translated into over 30 languages. His works include In Defense of Global Capitalism, Progress: Ten Reasons to Look Forward to the Future (Economist Book of the Year, 2016) and Open: The Story of Human Progress (Economist Book of the Year, 2020).

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