Nomads, by Anthony Sattin (2)

Please note - this is a repeat of an earlier activity about the same book, for some members couldn't attend.

The word "nomad" makes one think of warriors on horseback, wreaking havoc; of caravans, with families and animals; in general, about the difference between settled communities - farmers, originally - and wandering communities, originally pastoralists. And many think that civilisation comes from the former, and can be threatened by the latter. But, as Sattin outlines in this very readable book, things are more complicated - the two kinds of community interact and cross-fertilise. Nowadays, there are similar and related differences: between city and countryside, between - to borrow a recent, politically charged term - citizens of nowhere, the new nomads, and citizens of somewhere. Many points to discuss - about the past, the present and the future.