Perhaps the greatest compliment that I can give this book is that it is only as long as it should be.
Gee provides a highly useful and succinct explanation for his predictions, we have recommendations and very little in the way of the fluff so common in modern science books. I learned quite a bit from his journey through history and what we keep failing to learn. The fact that our race is in decline was oddly calming for me, despite the terror that should inspire. Instead, Gee shows how the cycles of life flow and our place in the universe seems to be coming to an end.
And yet, with a bit of wit, he says it’s not all over if we want to make real changes. A wonderful read that tells it like it is, and offers us the option to turn the tide.

A compelling look at the history of ancient humans up through modern homo sapiens, who Gee argues are on a path to extinction (in the next 10,000 years) unless we find a way to our next frontier, space.

Thank you to Macmillan for an ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Saw this available for download on Netgalley and it intrigued me so I asked to be able to read/review it. I’m so glad that I was approved for this. This fascinating book is all about the history and future of humanity: how it came about, its current state, how it might end, and how it might continue on into the future.

This book was hilarious and informative at the same time. The jokes dropped through all of the history and information made it (for me at least) easier to focus on and digest all of the information tossed my way in the book. There is a ton of info in here that I didn’t know beforehand. You can tell a lot of time went into the research for this book. And while there is a lot of info in here it’s presented in a way that’s easy to read and digest.

Overall I really liked this and highly recommend it for nonfiction fans of all ages.

The Decline and Fall of the Human Empire by Henry Gee is a fascinating and thoroughly researched exploration of humanity’s future. I absolutely loved listening to the audiobook. The author presents a clear and concise thesis, supported by an impressive depth of research, making complex ideas both accessible and compelling.

I truly feel like I learned so much from this book, as Gee masterfully weaves together science, history, and speculation to craft a thought-provoking narrative. To top it off, the narration was phenomenal, enhancing the experience and making it an even more immersive listen. Highly recommend for anyone interested in the fate of our species and the bigger picture of our place in the universe.

Although it was depressing, I really enjoyed this audiobook. Thank you for the opportunity to listen to it!

Thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the Audio ARC!

The Decline and Fall of the Human Empire is a fascinating look at the history and potential futures of Homo Sapiens. I learned a lot about the other past members of our genus that factored into our ancient past before fading away completely. I would definitely recommend this book for anyone interested in the origin of our species.

Well, this wasn’t exactly an uplifting read, but I suppose it wasn’t meant to be. The Decline and Fall of the Human Empire paints a grim picture of our future, arguing that despite the Green Revolution of the 1960s, humanity is on a slow but inevitable path to extinction within 10,000 years—unless we act within the next two decades.

Gee lays out factors driving this decline, from plummeting sperm counts to economic instability leading people to have fewer children. He also highlights threats like reliance on singleton crops, mass migration sparking conflict, and even the effects of women's rights and increased access to education on population trends (a point sure to spark debate). While some arguments felt more compelling than others, the overall message was clear: if we don’t act soon, we may be sealing our own fate.

His proposed solutions are just as bold as his warnings. He argues that we need to stop eating meat entirely, eat plants directly instead of filtering them through animals, develop artificial photosynthesis, convert waste into food, and colonize space to ensure humanity’s survival. While I learned a lot about human genetics and the Founder Effect, devoting an entire chapter to photosynthesis felt excessive, and at times, he was a bit repetitive in making his points. Some arguments could have been more concise without losing their impact.

One of the most surprising takeaways was that our global population is now declining. While that might sound positive, Gee argues that it takes billions of people to produce the next Einstein or Newton—the minds that propel humanity forward. A shrinking population, he suggests, may stall our progress.

Though bleak, the book was undeniably thought-provoking. Whether you find it alarmist or a necessary wake-up call, The Decline and Fall of the Human Empire is a fascinating, if unsettling, look at our species' potential downfall.

ARC was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed the topics discussed in this book. The narration was great too. It made me ponder about a lot of the history it discussed.

I was happy to receive the audiobook version of this ARC (ALC?), as it was a book I had entered a Goodreads giveaway for, but didn't win.

This was the first book from Henry Gee that I have read, but I appreciated the depth of knowledge he brought to the book. He references his other books (along with various other sources) throughout, which leads me to believe I would enjoy some of his other works as well.

This was less alarmist and political than I anticipated, which I thoroughly appreciated. I listened to this after finishing Nexus from Noah Yuval Harari which was more on the edge of anxiety provoking, where The Decline and Fall of the Human Empire: Why Our Species Is on the Edge of Extinction felt more intriguing. Perhaps it was Gee's writing style, or that this was a more brief exploration of the past catastrophes and the long road to where we are today, but the discussion felt more approachable. Specifically, I enjoyed the topic of other hominids and the interaction/interbreeding with homo sapiens.

Because I was intrigued, I wish there was more to this book. While fantastic for introduction or more casual review of the rise and (potential) fall of our species, I would have appreciated a deeper dive into some of the suggested contributing factors.

Thanks to NetGalley, Henry Gee, and Macmillan Audio for the opportunity to read and review an ARC/ALC.

**This review is based on an e-ARC generously provided to me through Netgalley**
This book offers a wonderfully approachable overview of human history, covering broad strokes in a clear and engaging way. Having read several mainstream history books, I didn’t encounter much new information, but I can see how valuable this book would be for those new to the subject. In some ways, I wish I had discovered it sooner, as it serves as an excellent introduction to history books. The book is well organized, the language is accessible, and it avoids the fire hose of names and dates, common pitfalls in many history books. For anyone just beginning to explore history, this would be a fantastic starting point, offering insight into a wide range of historical events and eras.

Homo Sapiens have at most 10,000 years left as a species unless we take to the stars. So asserts Henry Gee. Every chapter in this book starts with a quote from “The Rise and Fall of the Roman Empire” and Gee draws compelling parallels from then to now.
He talks about isolated societies, a lack of genetic diversity, and how humans are more susceptible to disease than any other species on the planet because of our relatively small gene pool. Should our infrastructures fail and people become isolated again in small groups, it won’t be long (in evolutionary terms) before we die out. Yet, he admits that if/when we go to the stars, we will still have our limited gene pool with which to contend. Lots of food for thought presented clearly and almost breezily. The audiobook is well narrated.
My thanks to the author, publisher, @MacmillanAudio, and #NetGalley for early access to the audiobook for review purposes. Publication date: 18 March 2025.

Mankind certainly does love thinking about how it will die almost as much as it loves figuring out how to live forever doesn't it? Gee channels both impulses into this pithy volume with a certain effortlessness that keeps the humor from diluting the information and keeps the information from depressing the hell out of you. It's an interesting line to walk it is done rather deftly.

Unfortunately, there's not much more to say than that which is why I can't give it that fifth star. It is enjoyable, informative, doesn't overstay its welcome and moves along at a brisk pace. It's an excellent non-fiction palette cleanser if you've just read something very heavy and need something light but feel a need for something at least slightly informative.

Thank you to Net Galley for an advanced reading copy of this book to be published March 18th, 2025 at time of writing.