Hoof Beats Audiobook By William T. Taylor cover art

Hoof Beats

How Horses Shaped Human History

 Preview

Audible Standard 30-day free trial

Try Standard free
Select 1 audiobook a month from our entire collection of titles.
Yours as long as you’re a member.
Get unlimited access to bingeable podcasts.
Standard auto renews for $8.99 a month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Hoof Beats

By: William T. Taylor
Narrated by: Tristan Morris
Try Standard free

$8.99 a month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $15.90

Buy for $15.90

Journey to the ancient past with cutting-edge science and new data to discover how horses forever altered the course of human history.

From the Rockies to the Himalayas, the bond between horses and humans has spanned across time and civilizations. In this archaeological journey, William T. Taylor explores how momentous events in the story of humans and horses helped create the world we live in today. Tracing the horse's origins and spread from the western Eurasian steppes to the invention of horse-drawn transportation and the explosive shift to mounted riding, Taylor offers a revolutionary new account of how horses altered the course of human history.

Drawing on Indigenous perspectives, ancient DNA, and new research from Mongolia to the Great Plains and beyond, Taylor guides listeners through the major discoveries that have placed the horse at the origins of globalization, trade, biological exchange, and social inequality. Hoof Beats transforms our understanding of both horses and humanity's ancient past and asks us to consider what our relationship with horses means for the future of humanity and the world around us.

©2024 William T. Taylor (P)2024 Highbridge Audio History History & Philosophy World Animals Science Biological Sciences Outdoors & Nature Conservation Environment
All stars
Most relevant
The author’s writing is engaging. His survey of the impact of horses on culture and economic development was solid as well.

Unfortunately, like most academics, the author sloppily uses the term “genocide”. He confuses conquest with genocide. While genocides often involve conquest, not all conquests are genocide. Furthermore, the author could not resist parroting academics’ tiresome hobbyhorses - “racism” and “climate change”.

While these non sequiturs diminished the book, overall the author put forth a solid effort and I recommend the book.

Good Overview of Horses’ Impact on Human History

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Interesting history slowed by a boring narrator. Also, some details were often repeated which became tedious

Narrator

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Narration a bit dry. Very knowledgeable author with history of the spread, use and development of horse and horse cultures

very interesting history of horses

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
While this book presents intriguing insights, it tends to prioritize archaeological aspects at the expense of a comprehensive exploration of the horse's historical significance and its profound impact on human civilization.

Horses have been integral to the development of societies, yet the text only superficially addresses the multifaceted roles they have played throughout history.

For those with a deep appreciation for equestrian studies, particularly in relation to their socio-cultural implications, this work may still offer a thought-provoking read.

Good, but not great

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Very comprehensive history of horses…the voice of the audiobook was difficult not going to lie, but I love horses and enjoyed learning more about their history in our world. Especially learning about how tack has evolved over time ex: one stirup to 2.

History of horses

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
See more reviews