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)

I loved this book!

If you could sum up Civilization in three words, what would they be?

Wonderful look at ourselves

What about Niall Ferguson’s performance did you like?

Well read

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Could not stop listening

Any additional comments?

Sad when it ended

Guns, Germs, and Steel is History 101, this is 201

Guns, Germs, and Steel explains how Eurasians nations had an geological head start over rival nations, but it paints too simplistic a stroke to explain the last 500 years of western dominance. This book will finish your introduction to civilization competition throughout human history and why those that won - won and those that lost - lost by providing a detail understanding of why western civilization progressed past the rest.
Some answers are as you might expect but some may surprise you.
Read Guns, Germs, and Steel first then read this book. together you will have a much better understanding of how the current geopolitical situation has come about and then you can truly begin to postulate on where it is going and what policies you should support if you wish to change its progress or keep it on track.

Civilization Explained

This captivating story of the origins and demise of civilizations in the West and East starts off a little slow, but as you listen, it begins to unfold and explain how so many countries in the West outpaced and produced so much more than other nations existing during the same time.

The unifying theme of the 'killer apps' is appropriate for postmodern readers, giving a clear direction and 'visual' picture of how the West continues to lead the world. The most riveting parts of the book include Ferguson's discussion about the United States' perpetual dependency on religion, specifically Christianity. Why are other Western nations withdrawing from religious activity and the US is not? Is there a correlational connection between capitalism and religion or is the relationship causal?

This book is not for generalists hoping for an easy read, but perhaps would best suit someone who has a particular interest in anthropology and sociology from a historical perspective.

In any case, I really enjoyed the author's lively narration of his work.

Very interesting with a slightly obvious bias

What did you love best about Civilization?

The depth at which the subject is tackled.

Would you be willing to try another book from Niall Ferguson? Why or why not?

sure

Would you listen to another book narrated by Niall Ferguson?

sure

Any additional comments?

Niall Ferguson is a strong narrator and because it is his own book he knows just when to put the infection in a sentence. The subject is entertaining and well expressed. There is a pretty obvious bias that Mr. Ferguson acknowledges from the beginning but overall it doesn't show up too often and is not very one sided. there is allot of good history in this book.

Riveting

If you could sum up Civilization in three words, what would they be?

Humanity's History Explained

What was one of the most memorable moments of Civilization?

I loved how he tied the book and history in with his "killer apps". The ah-ha moments were many and it was very interesting to hear why we are declining and China is rising, again.

What does Niall Ferguson bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

He is a great Teacher and I would love to listen to him, anytime. I have so little time to sit and Just Read and so, sharing this with my husband (who never reads) was wonderful.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

There were so many. We listened to this book while driving through a lot of the West and found ourselves nodding and grunting as we learned something new or had something reiterated to us.

Any additional comments?

Thank you for this great work. It was an enormous undertaking and so very important.

Food for thought

Say what you will about Ferguson, but you're never going to get the Cliff's Notes version of history from him. Agree or disagree, he manages to come at his history from a fresh, at least to me, perspective on things.

To be honest, I found some of his assertions to be hopelessly... um... unlikely/naive/doctrinaire, but overall, he offered me a new way to look at world history, in particular with respect to the ascendancy of the west, and fresh ideas are always a good thing.

The entire book seems to build to a rather predictable point, but in the end, it's more of the culmination of his arguments, and probably arguments that should at least be considered.

Well reasoned and thoughtful

This work helps reminds us that jealousy and weak morals are the cracks which destroy free countries- and for a group or country to survive we must cling to shared values that are become the energy for our efforts.

Spectacular

Stunningly narrated, and riveting. This is a book to listen to more than once. This is a book to remember. What are you waiting for? Buy it now!

Great Performance

Aparnetly this requires 15 words this is quite annoying ,why would you make me right more than I wan to. The book is like many others, however it points out the need of our culture and heritage to be seen as a tool.

Fill in the Gaps

What is it about Western civilization that has enabled it to surpass and stay ahead of its eastern counterpart? Niall Ferguson's book attempts to answer his question but naturally a somewhat brief overview of a very complicated and complex issue is what we're left with. There are many interesting insights that Ferguson offers, however, even if one can quibble with certain conclusions he ends up drawing.

As far as the narration goes, Ferguson is very good but whoever does the voice for Bolivar, Freud, and the assorted other national icon manages to butcher the accent of just about all of them.