Big Gods

A fun, informative pop research book about a very interesting topic (the sociological history of religion), written in a language that I love (randomized control trials! natural experiments! the Dictator Game!). The main thesis is that religions that feature supernatural morality monitors - i.e. Big Gods - enabled proto-agricultural settlements to grow beyond the confines of immediate social boundaries. In other words, Big Gods make sure that strangers can cooperate. Hence, you get towns! And then eventually states. Definitely a book for fans of Acemoglu and Robinson, or James C. Scott. Except - unlike Acemoglu+Robinson or Scott - this book's academic density is leavened by occasional moments of real, laugh out loud wit.