Civilization

The West and the Rest

By: Niall Ferguson

Narrated by: Niall Ferguson

Length: 13 hrs and 5 mins

Publisher's summary

The rise to global predominance of Western civilization is the single most important historical phenomenon of the past five hundred years. All over the world, an astonishing proportion of people now work for Western-style companies, study at Western-style universities, vote for Western-style governments, take Western medicines, wear Western clothes, and even work Western hours. Yet six hundred years ago the petty kingdoms of Western Europe seemed unlikely to achieve much more than perpetual internecine warfare. It was Ming China or Ottoman Turkey that had the look of world civilizations. How did the West overtake its Eastern rivals? And has the zenith of Western power now passed?

In Civilization: The West and the Rest, bestselling author Niall Ferguson argues that, beginning in the fifteenth century, the West developed six powerful new concepts that the Rest lacked: competition, science, the rule of law, consumerism, modern medicine, and the work ethic.

©2011 Niall Ferguson (P)2011 Tantor

Critic reviews

"Thought-provoking and possibly controversial." ( Library Journal)

Worth Reading

Where does Civilization rank among all the audiobooks you???ve listened to so far?

I like this book much better than Ferguson's last book the Ascent of Money, it is much more readable and engaging. Well researched and full of history I'd never heard. Definately worth the read.

What did you like best about this story?

I thought this book would be more of the same as previous books in this genre such as Guns Germs and Steel and 1493. The theme is the same, but this book brings a lot of new information to the table.

Any additional comments?

I like apples

A strong augment clearly made

The book really makes the case that the West has had an extrodinarily disproportionate impact on World History over the past 500 years. He doesn't crow about it or make value judgement. He just lays out in his evidence in a thoughtful manner that you won't have difficulty following.

outstanding

one of the best history book if not the best ever i read. Author explains connections with details not just wars or apparent causes. Economic dimension to any event in history is emphasized to a level one must understand basic financial systems. As we live the latest episode of ongoing saga the message is wide and varied climate change to keep competing and creating rather than building walls. Change is constant, those ignorant will face consequences similar to ignorants in the past. China is coming the west seem ignorant abrupt changes are expected not classes but crashes.
i feel enlightened.

A different take

Ferguson steps out of the realm of politics, and writes the history of civilization focusing on what works for humans--good medicine, property rights protection, the rule of law, and buying stuff, to name a few. I loved how he asked what North America and South America would look like if the opposites settled the land--the Spaniards in the North, the English in the South. His take on it was very interesting, and not what might be expected.

This is just great read. Ferguson's narration is amazing. I'm not sure if he's doing all the accented voices, but if he is, he's a born actor.

Civilization

I wonder, what's up with the arbitrary goofy accents that suddenly appear?! I didn't care for that distraction.
Otherwise, lots of interesting information.

more of a single theme than I expected

Naill was an excellent narrator! the book to me was entertaining more than educational due the influence of Nassim Taleb on my thinking involving the legitimacy of any historical arguments of causation made after the fact.

Avoids cultural relativism

This book avoids the cultural relativism and Western self-hate so prevalent these days, but instead focuses on the cultural elements and institutions that can make any civilization successful.

Outstanding review of civilization rises and falls

Provides an excellent perspective to understand what is happening in the world today. I found it both informative & entertaining.

Engaging history

This is compelling in much the same was as Jared Diamond's book, which this book is, in part, a response to. The ideas are interesting and well-arranged. Ferguson's enthusiasms are infectious; they also make his reading good. The performance loses a star because the accents for quotations are sometimes pretty poorly done.

Best Audiobook I have listened

This is the best audiobook I have listened. Very informative and great style of storytelling. I would like to recommend it for all students of colleges and universities as an essential book. I would buy a had copy and keep it in my library for future reference.