The West

A New History of an Old Idea

By: Naoíse Mac Sweeney

Narrated by: Shaheen Khan

Length: 14 hrs and 8 mins

Publisher's summary

*A Radio 4 Book of the Week*

Brought to you by Penguin.

We tend to imagine Western Civilisation as a golden thread, leading through the centuries from classical antiquity to the countries of the modern West - a cultural genealogy that connects Plato to NATO. It is an idea often invoked in the speeches of politicians and the rhetoric of journalists, and which remains deeply embedded in popular culture. But what if it is wrong?

In an epic sweep through the ages, prize-winning archaeologist and historian Naoíse Mac Sweeney charts the history of this idea - an idea of enormous political significance, but which is nonetheless factually incorrect and obscures the wondrous, rich diversity of our past. She reveals how this particular version of Western history was invented, how it has been used to justify imperialism and racism, and why it is no longer ideologically fit for purpose today.

Told through the lives of fourteen fascinating historical figures - including a formidable Roman matriarch, an unconventional Islamic scholar, an enslaved African American poetess and a British prime minister with Homeric aspirations - The West is a groundbreaking retelling of Western history and a powerful corrective to one of the greatest myths of all: Western Civilisation.

©2023 Naoíse Mac Sweeney (P)2023 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

A forceful, well-written book, in which Mac Sweeney shows her command of a vast sweep of history (Daily Telegraph)

A bold, sweeping bird's-eye view of thousands of years of history that provides a truly global perspective of the past. A fantastic achievement (Peter Frankopan, bestselling author of THE SILK ROADS)

Bright, expansive, and iconoclastic, this deliciously witty book has the potential to upset the applecart of "Western Civilisation" itself ... A magnificent achievement (Prof. Suzannah Lipscomb, award-winning historian and broadcaster)

feeling embarrassed on behalf of the author

Easy the worst book in my collection of 100+ books.

For good measure, I enjoy Sweeney's articles on archaeology and follow her on Twitter, so when I read the book review in the Guardian, ending in "people will enjoy this clever and thought provoking account" it prompted me to purchase the book straight away.

*What a disappointment*

I somehow managed to listen all the way through this angry, moralistic disquisition, hoping for that thought provoking finale that never was.

The book did leave me feeling embarrassed on behalf of the author.

I tried to understand why Sweeney would write a book like this and the only thing I could think of (assumption) is that she has some serious beef with western culture and that she started writing before she was ready.

To me it's just another author who feels a need to bite the hand that feeds it.

I honestly tried to find the cleverness in the book or even a hint of a deeper meaning anywhere (other than an aggressive dislike for Europe and everything it stands for)

Would definitely not recommend. I'll stick to her Twitter feeds from now on

Not deep, not focused, promises more than it gives

The book's stated aim is to challenge the current narrative of Western civilization: a linear transmission from Ancient Greece to the Romans to Christian medieval Europe to the Renaissance and modernity. To this end, the author considers 14 characters ordered chronologically to illustrate through them that the above narrative is faulty. My assessment of the book is the following: most of the chapters are plagued with lengthy digressions that bring no added value to the argument, and gives a sense of loss of focus. The analysis - if any - is superficial, nothing like you would find in Edward Said's book "Orientalism". My overall assessment of Sweeney's book: dispensable.