The Consequences

Yes - for a publisher, I'd make it much tighter and more direct, around 250 words:

THE CONSEQUENCES
Gregory A. Baker

The Consequences is a sweeping historical and speculative novel examining how humanity arrived at its present condition-and what the consequences of that journey may be. Moving across centuries, the novel follows the development of civilisation from ancient ideas about the living world through the growth of religious authority, political power, economic expansion, science and technology. At its centre is a conflict between two opposing visions: the understanding of the Earth as a living system requiring care and good husbandry, and the belief that humanity stands above nature and is entitled to exploit it.The This transformation are traced through the major events and ideas that shaped the modern world, including industrialisation, imperial expansion and the two World Wars. The wars become pivotal demonstrations of what happens when technological power, nationalism and political ambition are combined on an unprecedented scale. Alongside this historical narrative is a speculative exploration of modern science, from the nature of matter and time to quantum physics and cosmology. The attempt to understand the universe raises a larger question: whether humanity possesses the wisdom to use its knowledge responsibly. The Consequences is ultimately a meditation on history, civilisation, science, religion and humanity's relationship with the natural world. It asks if history is simply a record of what has happened, or a warning about what may yet come to pass. Its central idea is that consequences are created by choices. Understanding how humanity arrived at this moment may therefore be the first step towards choosing a different future.