In this book, the American philosopher Edward Carpenter reassesses the meaning of civilization and its role in the development of humanity and morality.

As the author says: "hospitality of the wild Arab, the courage of the North American Indian, and the faithful friendships of some of the Polynesian nations, far surpass anything of a similar kind among the polished communities of Europe."

Further, Carpenter reflects his acquaintance with the people of the indigenous tribes like Bushmen, Eskimo, Samoyedes, Zulu.

Edward Carpenter was an English socialist poet, socialist philosopher, anthologist, and early gay activist.

As a philosopher he is particularly known for his publication of Civilisation, Its Cause and Cure in which he proposes that civilisation is a form of disease that human societies pass through.