Obviously something so multifaceted can't be condensed that much but, we do it on smaller scales for cultures in history all the time. Let's say you're an alien in the far future who teaches about different cultures throughout the cosmos. You must choose 1 book from earth's history you feel perfectly encapsulates the soul of mankind, and you HAVE to keep it to just one (or a few if you prefer) because there are just too many other worlds to cover.
You can interpret the question how you want, whether it's more historically based or psychological. Or whatever you think works!
I'm writing a philosophical scifi story spanning the lifespan of earth and possibly the universe and am trying to imagine what an outside observer would think of us and what kind of judgement they'd pass, if they had to boil it down.
by jesster_0