Walter Scheidel

Walter Scheidel is an Austrian historian who specializes in ancient history, economic history, and historical demography. He is known for his research on the Roman Empire, the comparative history of slavery and state formation, and for his work on the factors leading to inequality in human societies. Scheidel is a professor at Stanford University, where he has contributed significantly to the understanding of social and economic patterns throughout history.

Books

This list of books are ONLY the books that have been ranked on the lists that are aggregated on this site. This is not a comprehensive list of all books by this author.

  1. 1. The Great Leveler : Violence And The History Of Inequality From The Stone Age To The Twenty First Century

    Cover of 'The Great Leveler : Violence And The History Of Inequality From The Stone Age To The Twenty First Century' by Walter Scheidel

    This book delves into the historical patterns of inequality, arguing that significant reductions in inequality have only ever been brought about by cataclysmic events, which the author terms as the "Four Horsemen": war, revolution, state collapse, and plague. Through a comprehensive examination of societal structures from the Stone Age to the modern era, it presents a compelling case that peaceful reforms have rarely led to lasting decreases in inequality. The work challenges readers to confront the uncomfortable reality that significant improvements in equality have often been forged in the crucible of immense human suffering, thereby questioning the prospects for achieving future equality without such extreme catalysts.

    The 9286th Greatest Book of All Time