形塑人类历史的力量总是充满争议，但我们还是不断的想知道到底是什么一直驱策着我们。Jared Diamond在《枪炮、病菌与钢铁》（Guns, Germs, and Steel）一书里，提出了一些力量；而Willie Thompson则在本书《工作、性、权力》提出了更激进也更基本的三要素。作者用自己数十年的历史学家经验，借鉴了大量的当代研究资料，重新确立了全人类史的唯物主义。
 
不了解马克思主义的读者，可以透过他清晰又有说服力的写作风格，了解这段席卷全球、充满野心的历史。作者论述并解释了社会结构与论题的基础，而这些一直在地球史中人类与环境的互动里反覆出现。作者带着我们，透过最新的长期历史发展观点，踏上从旧石器时代狩猎社群到近代机械文明社区的历史探究之旅，你会发现，原来人类有了这些改变，而有些事，其实从没改变。
 
好评
Stefan Berger, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Germany
“An extremely ambitious attempt to explain the history of humankind. Thompson’s historical materialism provides him with a reliable compass on his journey and the end result is nothing short of inspiring.”
 
John Callaghan, University of Salford
“Willie Thompson has written an engaging and concise world history that is both analytically ambitious and lucidly argued. It's an excellent discussion of many complex questions which should be of interest to both undergraduates and the general reader.”
 
Dianne Kirby, University of Ulster
“Willie Thompson reminds us all of the power of a master narrative written in the now all too rare tradition of all-encompassing erudition that impresses and inspires, informs and provokes. A powerful book derived from decades of historical research and reflection on the essence of what it is to be human. A must read.”
 
KAJ McLay, Canterbury Christ Church University
“The history of civilization has enjoyed a renaissance of late. Historians grapple with civilizations’ clashes, their defense and their erosion. This book is, therefore, a welcome addition to the history of change in the global human condition and situation. By tracing and analyzing human relationships within the framework of work, sex and power, civilization’s ‘fabric of history’ unfolds to illustrate clearly the rise and fall of different forms of social, political and economic organization.”
 
关于作者
Willie Thompson退休以前是Glasgow Caledonian University的当代史教授。他的著作包括：The Good Old Cause: British Communism 1920-1991、What Happened to History?与Ideologies in the Age of Extremes: Liberalism, Conservatism, Communism, Fascism 1914-91。