The Power of Peasants (volume 1 and 2 paperback)

Advances in agricultural production by farmers powered the great breakthroughs in civilization in Europe: the rise and the overthrow of Rome, the rise of medieval civilization, the overthrow of the feudal ruling classes in England and the Netherlands in the 1300s–1600s, and the ascent of capitalism. Through these revolutions, farmers won greater economic and political freedom, which they put to good use to make the most of nature’s bounty and thereby lay the foundation for the next advance in civilization. But winning access to land, liberty, and prosperity required bitter struggles by farmers against the masters of society who, to maximize their own wealth and power, sought to reduce the producers to poverty and servitude. The farmers were decisive: in those countries, such as En­gland and Holland, where the farmers won their freedom, they strengthened the townspeople in their fight against the feudal lords and tipped the scales in favor of victory. Where the peasants were defeated, as in Germany, so too were the cities; these countries fell back into more centuries of feudal depression. Looking at history from the perspective of the farmers and other working people allows us to understand why history took the course it did and better prepares us for battles that lie ahead.