HORSES

The unbreakable bond between horses and humans.

The sudden and mysterious death of the legendary Australian racehorse Phar Lap in 1932 has spawned decades of documentaries, theories, and lore. With the offer of a hair from the animal’s tail for study, Orlando, a French expert in ancient DNA, launches into the findings of a global investigation of the relationship between humans and horses that has shaped modern societies. His journey through horse history begins with the horses of Botai, a 5,000-plus-year-old pastoral society in northern Kazakhstan, thought to be the source of the human domestication of horses. But the team encounters surprising findings: Genetic research reveals that Botai is not the place of origin of all domesticated horses; rather, this was just one spot in the world where horses were shaped and evolved to work with humans. The adventure, also a study in effective science communication, continues through Russia and the Ukrainian steppe, Central Europe, Tibet, and elsewhere, carefully guiding the reader around the world of horses through deep DNA research, selective breeding, and genetic adaptations while presenting scientific findings in lively prose. Combing through artifacts and data, the author weaves together centuries of global history, following the beasts across nations as they accompany humans in pursuit of war, trade, food, and pleasure.

A captivating, smooth ride through the history of a relationship that molded modern societies.