The Edges of the World: At the Margins of Life, Lands and History

by Charles Foster

We tend to think that everything important comes from the centre: from big cities, from established orthodoxies in the sciences and the arts, from the Establishment in all its forms. We think this because the centre tells us it is so, but it's a lie. It is only at the edges that we think, innovate and thrive.

This book travels to the far frontiers of the planet, and of human culture and consciousness; to the edges of continents, of evolution, of artistic and political movements, and of life itself: from a rocky precipice in the Peloponnese where the first human set foot in Europe to an ancient Egyptian temple where monotheism was invented; from St Francis, kissing lepers’ sores to the giant bird-eating mice of St Kilda.

Why do we stare at sunsets? Why do we celebrate birthdays and grieve for those who are gone? Why do all adventures begin when we leave and get lost? Who has the better view of reality – the Government or the dispossessed? And what happens when we live with the knowledge that we’re all teetering on the edge of the dark?

Genres: Nonfiction, Philosophy

281 pages, Hardcover

Published January 22, 2026

About the author

Charles Foster is a Fellow of Green Templeton College at the University of Oxford. He is a qualified veterinarian, teaches medical law and ethics, and is a practicing barrister. Much of his life has been spent on expeditions: he has run a 150-mile race in the Sahara, skied to the North Pole, and suffered injuries in many desolate and beautiful landscapes. He has written on travel, evolutionary biology, natural history, anthropology, and philosophy.

Reviews

[Onceinabluemoon · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Bazw · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not a read at one sitting but fascinating enough to keep dipping into. A theory about how more change is affected at the edges than the centre and how it's generally more interesting there!

[Tom · Rating 4 out of 5]

He's onto something, this guy. He's not sure of exactly what, and each point is made largely of various anecdotes - some of which are beautiful and weave together flawlessly, others are tricky to follow. But overall it's a fun and thought-provoking read. It's nice to see the edge getting appreciation.