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(as of Jan 19, 2025 13:49:37 UTC – Details)
A New York Times Notable Book of the Year
“A remarkable book . . . an important book―one that challenges, stimulates and entertains. Anyone who does not believe there are lessons to be learned from history should start right here.”―The Economist
Sometime around 1750, English entrepreneurs unleashed the astounding energies of steam and coal, and the world was forever changed. The emergence of factories, railroads, and gunboats propelled the West’s rise to power in the nineteenth century, and the development of computers and nuclear weapons in the twentieth century secured its global supremacy. Now, at the beginning of the twenty-first century, many worry that the emerging economic power of China and India spells the end of the West as a superpower. In order to understand this possibility, we need to look back in time. Why has the West dominated the globe for the past two hundred years, and will its power last?
Describing the patterns of human history, the archaeologist and historian Ian Morris offers surprising new answers to both questions. It is not, he reveals, differences of race or culture, or even the strivings of great individuals, that explain Western dominance. It is the effects of geography on the everyday efforts of ordinary people as they deal with crises of resources, disease, migration, and climate. As geography and human ingenuity continue to interact, the world will change in astonishing ways, transforming Western rule in the process.
Deeply researched and brilliantly argued, Why the West Rules―for Now spans fifty thousand years of history and offers fresh insights on nearly every page. The book brings together the latest findings across disciplines―from ancient history to neuroscience―not only to explain why the West came to rule the world but also to predict what the future will bring in the next hundred years.
ASIN : 0312611692
Publisher : Picador; First Edition (October 25, 2011)
Language : English
Paperback : 768 pages
ISBN-10 : 0274896303
ISBN-13 : 978-0312611699
Item Weight : 1.7 pounds
Dimensions : 1.6 x 5.4 x 8.1 inches
Customers say
Customers find the book insightful and informative. They praise the writing quality as well-written and engaging, with a refreshing lack of academe. Many consider it worth the price, considering it covers several disciplines and provides a comprehensive view. However, some readers feel the pacing is slow and repetitive at times. Opinions differ on the credibility of the arguments, with some finding them plausible and well-supported, while others mention mistakes and factual errors.
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