Age of Revolutions

Progress and Backlash from 1600 to the Present

By: Fareed Zakaria

Narrated by: Fareed Zakaria

The internationally bestselling author explores the revolutions—past and present—that define the chaotic, polarized, and unstable age in which we live.

Populist rage, ideological fracture, economic and technological shocks, geopolitical dangers, and an international system studded with catastrophic risk—the early decades of the 21st century may be one of the most revolutionary periods in modern history. But they are not the first. Humans have lived, and thrived, through more than one great realignment. What makes an age a revolutionary one? And how do they end?

In this major new work, Fareed Zakaria masterfully investigates eras that have shattered and shaped humanity. Four such periods hold profound lessons for today. First, in 17th-century Netherlands a series of transformations made that tiny land the richest in the world—and created modern politics as we know it today. The “Glorious Revolution” in Britain showed that major political change could happen peacefully. Next, the French Revolution, a dramatic decade and a half that devoured its ideological children and left a bloody legacy that haunts us to this day. Finally, the mother of all revolutions, the Industrial Revolution, which catapulted Britain and the US to global dominance and created the modern world. Against these paradigm-shifting historical eras, Zakaria describes our current situation, unpacking the four revolutions we are living through now; in globalization, technology, identity, and geopolitics.

As few public intellectuals can, Zakaria combines intellectual range, deep historical insight, and uncanny prescience to reframe and illuminate a turbulent present.

Critic reviews

"History lovers, rejoice! This audiobook is for you. As it surveys the major and sometimes minor revolutions of the past 500 or so years, Fareed Zakaria takes the listener through their causes and effects. Many of these upheavals, he says, changed the world in ways both obvious and surprising. It may take the listener a bit of time to get used to Zakaria’s Indian accent, but this in no way detracts from the Western-leaning history he recounts. This listen includes many interesting asides, such as why the Arc de Triomphe was never completed and why the Dutch once deliberately flooded their homelands. Despite a seemingly heavy emphasis on revolutions taking place in the West, this is a rewarding listen."

A Measured Study of Revolution and Backlash

As always a great book by FZ. Insightful and calm. He just has a fantastic way of explaining trends and putting them in historic context. That being said I would not say the last few chapters stuck to the "revolution" title. As FZ sometimes does in his books, if the "theme" is too constrained he is all to ready to jetison it so he can pontificate on whatever topic he wants. That's OK since I love to hear his thoughts about alot of things. Must be very liberating to not have to stay the course when many just like to hear you speak.

The missing manual

The book I wish I had in high school to decode the patterns and enable me to see the value in studying history.
Perhaps it should be required reading for all high school students.

Smart & fascinating comparison of Revolutions throughout history, read by author.

Fairly short book packed w lots of wisdom and insights into why Zakaria feels we are in the midst of a revolution right now. Excellent insights to why societies rebel against too much change, too fast. And how populism arises from that rebellion. Also he is a very good reader. I highly recommend.

Solid analysis

This is a solid argument based on good history. It probably helps that I found a lot to agree with.

Brilliant presentation

very balanced discussions of the driving forces of history. History is not linear but circular - he certainly explains why.