Thoughts on "Work" by James Suzman?

So, I just finished this one, and I've quite enjoyed the writing as well as the compilation/contextualization of informotion, so far.

However, I would like to get some more opinions. So far, the one thing that stands out to me, is perhaps the tendency to fall back on linear progression narratives (as well as some "original affluent society" stuff in there). Is this indicative of larger problems? Or is it more of a rhetorical artifact?

Thanks.