Age of Discovery looks at the world on the brink of a new Renaissance and asks the question, how do we avoid chaos and disruption, and share more widely the benefits of progress?

'A landmark new book.' - The Guardian Age of Discovery looks at the world on the brink of a new Renaissance and asks the question, how do we avoid chaos and disruption, and share more widely the benefits of progress? Now is humanity’s best moment. And our most fragile. Global health, wealth and education are booming. Scientific discovery is flourishing. But the same forces that make big gains possible for some of us deliver big losses to others—and tangle us together in ways that make everyone vulnerable. We’ve been here before. The first Renaissance, the time of Columbus, Copernicus, Gutenberg and others, redrew all maps of the world, liberated information and shifted Western civilization from the medieval to the early modern era. Such change came at a price: social division, political extremism, economic shocks, pandemics and other unintended consequences of human endeavour. Now is our second Renaissance. In the face of terrorism, Brexit, refugee crises and the global impact of a Trump presidency, we can flourish—if we heed the urgent lessons of history. Age of Discovery, revised and updated for this paperback edition, shows us how.

"An essential guide - and a superb ride - through our current stormy moment." - Editor-in-Chief, Huffington Post

"A powerful journey…This book will help the world." - Founder, Virgin Group

"Everyone should read it." - Nobel Laureate in Economics

"Ian and Chris ask—and answer—the big, essential questions…We should thank them for their audacity." - Managing Director, International Monetary Fund

"This fascinating book…should interest all who care about the future of humanity." - Astronomer Royal & past President of the Royal Society

"A much-needed dose of perspective in our increasingly short-term-focused world." - Global Managing Director, McKinsey & Co

"Essential reading to navigate the waves of innovation we face today." - 13th World Chess Champion

"A call to action we all need to hear." - International Executive Director, Greenpeace

"An education and a great read in one." - Philosopher

"Outstanding insights for all those interested in the stresses of the modern world and how other ages have confronted them." - President, NYU & past Vice-Chancellor, Oxford University

"A very important reminder to grasp the opportunities in the many challenges we are facing today." - Chairman, Boston Consulting Group

"A refreshing change from the shallow analyses and sterile nostrums of the right and the left…an impressive and important book." - Nobel Laureate in Economics

"A hugely stimulating book…Everyone should heed the authors’ call." - Professor of History, Harvard University

"A must-read for present and future leaders everywhere." - President, Commonwealth of Learning

"A remarkable feat of both history and prophecy. Ian and Chris have given us a gift of self-reflection that is indeed rare. I can’t believe the book is so light and small for accomplishing such a heavy lift." - President, Skoll Global Threats Fund & past Executive Director, Google.org

"A masterpiece." - New York Times best-selling author

"A rich portrait…powerful parallels…essential insights for all of us—including for every emerging Michelangelo and da Vinci." - Founder & Chairman, LinkedIn