Lizzie Wade’s Apocalypse: How Catastrophe Transformed Our World and Can Forge New Futures offers a sweeping, optimistic reimagining of how humanity has faced and survived apocalyptic events throughout history. Rather than viewing apocalypse as a singular, world-ending event, Wade reframes it as a recurring, transformative force that has shaped societies and fostered resilience, adaptation, and even progress237.
Wade defines apocalypse as a “rapid, collective loss that fundamentally changes a society’s way of life and sense of identity,” triggered by factors like climate change, disease, or invasion57. She traverses 50,000 years of human history, from the extinction of Neanderthals to the climate instability of today, using archaeological evidence and vivid storytelling to illustrate how societies have endured and evolved through catastrophe347.
The book explores well-known events such as the collapse of Old Kingdom Egypt due to drought, the devastation of the Black Death in Europe, and the fall of the Aztec civilization. Wade also highlights lesser-known upheavals, such as the flooding of Doggerland and the demise of Harappa in the Indus Valley, showing that the outcomes of these crises were far from uniform. Sometimes, catastrophe led to violence and social breakdown, as in Harappa or during the Black Death, which saw the scapegoating of Jewish communities. Yet, Wade emphasizes that apocalypses often spurred ingenuity, cooperation, and radical change237.
For example, after the Black Death, the dramatic reduction in population in Europe led to improved living conditions for survivors, increased freedom, and the eventual rise of the Renaissance37. In northern Peru, repeated El Niño disasters forced disparate groups to collaborate, leading to new forms of social organization and resource management3. Wade’s central argument is that apocalypses are not endings, but transformations—moments when societies are forced to reinvent themselves, often emerging stronger or fundamentally changed237.
Wade’s narrative is enriched by personal anecdotes, immersive vignettes, and deep dives into archaeological research. She brings ancient crises to life, humanizing the people who lived through them and drawing parallels to contemporary challenges like climate change and pandemics. Written during the COVID-19 pandemic, the book ultimately delivers a message of hope: while the future is uncertain and the world may be irrevocably altered, humanity’s long history of survival suggests that we are capable of adaptation and renewal237.
Reframing of Apocalypse: Wade’s central thesis—that apocalypse is a recurring, transformative process rather than a final end—is both original and hopeful, offering readers a new lens through which to view historical and modern crises237.
Engaging Storytelling: The book combines rigorous research with compelling narratives and personal anecdotes, making complex history accessible and relatable27.
Breadth and Depth: Wade covers a vast range of events across different eras and regions, supported by up-to-date archaeological evidence and interviews with experts37.
Humanizing Approach: By focusing on individual and collective responses, Wade brings empathy and nuance to historical catastrophes, encouraging readers to imagine themselves in past apocalypses27.
Relevance: The book draws clear connections between past and present, providing valuable context for understanding today’s existential threats37.
Speculative Elements: Some critics note that Wade occasionally ventures into speculative territory, especially when reconstructing ancient events where evidence is sparse57.
Pacing and Scope: The book’s ambitious scope—covering tens of thousands of years and multiple continents—can sometimes feel overwhelming or rushed, with some events receiving less attention than others35.
Optimism vs. Sobriety: While Wade’s optimism is refreshing, some readers might find her positive framing of catastrophe at odds with the immense suffering and loss described, potentially underplaying the darker aspects of historical apocalypses57.
Overall, Apocalypse is a thought-provoking, well-researched, and timely book that challenges readers to rethink what it means to live through—and after—catastrophe. Wade’s blend of scholarship and storytelling makes it a valuable contribution to the literature on resilience and transformation in human history237.