i’m not very well read on broad strokes anthropological history, so i’m not sure what kinds of scientific and archaeological evidence has come out since this book (i’m sure it’s a lot), but there is still so much great analysis in this book. a long history of how human evolution has produced particular forms of the family and the state, this book shows how monogamous patriarchy is not innate to humanity and insists that history is not something that keeps getting better for all humans. rather, the progression of society has led to more oppression for some in order to produce the success of others.