Civilisations: Encounters and the Cult of Progress

David Olusoga (ALLEN & UNWIN)

Visitors to the British Museum have long marvelled at its collection of alluring artefacts and treasures from around the world, many of which were brought back from the ‘New World’ during an era of global discovery. It’s in this museum where British historian and film-maker David Olusoga begins this portrayal of Western European civilisation’s many journeys of discovering of the wonders of foreign lands. Civilisations tells the story of how Western society came to import the wonders of the ancient worlds and cultures and somehow make them their own. If you’re a fan of Olusoga’s BBC series, you won’t be disappointed.