The War of the World

History's Age of Hatred

By: Niall Ferguson

Narrated by: Sean Barrett

The world at the beginning of the 20th century seemed, for most of its inhabitants, stable and relatively benign. Globalizing, booming economies married to technological breakthroughs seemed to promise a better world for most people. Instead, the 20th century proved to be overwhelmingly the most violent, frightening and brutalized in history with fanatical, often genocidal warfare engulfing most societies between the outbreak of the First World War and the end of the Cold War. What went wrong? How did we do this to ourselves? The War of the World comes up with compelling, fascinating answers. It is Niall Ferguson's masterpiece.©2005 Niall Ferguson (P)2006 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

"This thought-provoking, highly engaging, and nearly-impossible-to-put-down book...challenges readers to think outside the box." (Library Journal)
"Big, bold and brilliantly belligerent." (The Sunday Telegraph

Fresh History

Though abridged, the book manages to make a reasonably convincing case as to why the 20th Century was so bloody. Ferguson's theory is essentially this: hatred (of others) is an integral part of being human; so when peoples of different ethnicities living in close proximity experience economic instability, and when established order (or Empire) is in decline, the killing urge rears its ugly head waiting to be set free in the name of a war.

The World Wars, including the Cold War, are old subjects. However, Ferguson's writing throws out fresh perspectives, which alone will compensate for your valuable time.

The narration of Sean Barrett was excellent, as well.

Ban Islam from civil society.

This book just goes to show how quickly people can turn into killers. After reading this, you will know that genocide and mass murder is in the future and will be carried out by Islam. Islam is already carrying out murder almost every day in Europe.