The Gilgamesh Gene Revisited by Robin Russell-Jones
Presentation copy inscribed, dated and signed by the author on the half-title page thus: "25.11.21 To Alex With kind regards from the
author Robin"; 2021 1st paperback edition published by Shepheard-Walwyn, 334pp., text in acceptable condition with small creases to the top & bottom corners of a number of the pages and a larger one to the top right hand corner of the last page, considerable wear to the covers with heavy creasing (+ a small tear repaired with sellotape) to the front bottom right hand side & a large crease to the rear top left hand corner. An acceptable copy.
How it is that humanity has brought itself, along with most other species, to the brink of extinction? In the Gilgamesh Gene Revisited,
Russell-Jones provides a time-line analysis of man’s relationship with the natural world that stretches back deep into pre-history and
illuminates the origins of many of our most cherished fables, myths and religious creeds, which provide our belief systems governing our
world and political thinking today. Extinction is avoidable but do we, as sentient beings, possess the ability to change the way we think?
This question is fundamental to the survival of the human species.
Gilgamesh was a vainglorious king who ruled the city of Uruk in Ancient Mesopotamia, allegedly around 2750 BC. The Epic of Gilgamesh is the oldest narrative in existence, and it contains the blueprint for much of our environmentally destructive behaviour today. This implacable pursuit of fame and fortune, at the expense of the natural world, has proven so successful that plundering the Earth’s resources has become hard-wired into our thinking: hence the Gilgamesh Gene. Furthermore this quest for immortality is now regarded as a “natural” part of the human condition: whilst in reality it is deeply deviant, and contains the seeds of our own destruction. As mankind rushes head-long into the Anthropocene, there is some hope as the author explains the steps we need to take to avert disaster: limiting human numbers; getting away from ever-expanding GDP as the only definition of progress; and urgently implementing the Global Carbon Incentive Fund as the most equitable, efficient and effective way of putting a price on carbon emissions globally.
Robin Russell-Jones (born 5 March 1948) is a medical doctor with an abiding interest in environmental pollution and the way it impinges on public health. His activities have influenced several key area of environmental policy in the UK, including the decision to ban lead in
petrol, introduce catalytic converters in petrol driven vehicles, and change official guidelines on exposure to ionizing radiation. His
letters and articles have raised awareness of ozone depletion and global warming.
Will ship by Royal Mail 1st Class Signed for, well packaged.
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