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The Great Degeneration
- How Institutions Decay and Economics Die
- Narrated by: Paul Slack
- Length: 4 hrs and 18 mins
- Unabridged Audiobook
- Release date: 06-13-13
- Language: English
- Publisher: Recorded Books
- Whispersync for Voice-ready
Regular price: $20.99
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Even after the legendary evacuation from Dunkirk in June 1940 there were still large British formations fighting the Germans alongside their French allies. After mounting a vigorous counterattack at Abbeville and then engaging a tough defense along the Somme, the British were forced to conduct a second evacuation from the ports of Le Havre, Cherbourg, Brest, and St. Nazaire. Case Red captures the drama of the final three weeks of military operations in France in June 1940.
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Publisher's Summary
Best-selling author and world-renowned historian Niall Ferguson has won widespread acclaim for thought-provoking works such as Civilization and High Financier. The Great Degeneration tackles nothing less than the decline of Western civilization. Ferguson posits that slowing growth, outrageous debt, and antisocial behavior are contributing to the erosion of the West’s once rock-solid foundations. Ferguson excavates the causes and shows how heroic leadership and radical reform are needed to right the course.
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- Ivanhoe
- 08-28-17
Superb as always!
Niall Ferguson gives an excellent analysis of the factors playing into the problems of todays modern socities of the West. Even though I would like to remain a cautious optimist about the future, if we believe the professor we will, especially in the developed part of the world, be in for a tough ride in the years to come. Too many things are in flux at the same time, and too little will among general population, politicians and the ruling elite to take the necessary actions needed to change course of future history. Due to inappropriate actions and lack of taking the right actions we have set ourselves on a difficult path.
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story3 out of 5 stars
- irene
- 11-09-13
Good but short
Where does The Great Degeneration rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?
middle of the pack due to length
What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)
short
What does Paul Slack bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?
n/a
If you could give The Great Degeneration a new subtitle, what would it be?
How Institutions affect a civilization.
I didn't really find the reasons why they decay.
More of a case as to the effect.
Insightful book though.
Any additional comments?
Niall Ferguson is good at economic history. No doubt.
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- BILLB
- 12-04-17
Great take on our current reality
Excellent discussion of what is happening in America today- for better or worse.
Well thought out and articulated as you would expect from Ferguson.
Should be mandatory reading for any politician.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Jose
- 11-25-16
Ferguson at his best
Narrator is good and clear
Great story on how great societies can wreck themselves. You will get a "what not to do" list for great civilizations
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Overall1 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story1 out of 5 stars
- Firefly777
- 08-25-16
Just plain boring
What disappointed you about The Great Degeneration?
I normally love books of this genre but this one was poorly written and mindbogglingly boring. Don't waste your time.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Robert Bailey
- West Palm Beach, FL USA
- 05-28-16
Ferguson does it again. Brilliant!
This is a fascinating economic evaluation of current history. It is rational and there is no panic. Still its message is quite urgent.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Ezekiel
- United States
- 01-26-15
I love this guy! Morrissey, Alan Turing and Niall
I was sorry it ended and am quickly going on to the next book by the same author.
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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Performance3 out of 5 stars
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Story3 out of 5 stars
- Henry B. Thompson
- 01-05-16
rambling
Has some good points but generally rambles and fails to draw any meaningful conclusions. Misses the mark.
0 of 1 people found this review helpful