Aug 06, 2014 the scottish historian niall ferguson is, in some ways, the russell crowe of the academic world. In his books colossus and empire, ferguson presents a reinterpretation of the history of the british empire and in conclusion proposes that the modern policies of the united. And now we have niall ferguson s new television series, of which this is the book, arguing in 1066 and all that fashion that britains version of empire was more a good thing than a bad, an. His speciality is financial and economic history, as well as the history of colonialism, but he has written across a wide range of topics, as well as presenting. Niall fergusons acclaimed empire brilliantly unfolds the imperial story in all its splendours and its miseries, showing how a gang of buccaneers and golddiggers planted the seed of the biggest empire. He is senior fellow at the hoover institution, stanford. The most brilliant british historian of his generation. How britain made the modern world niall ferguson london. In empire, niall ferguson explains how an archipelago of rainy islands. Networks and power from the freemasons to facebook. Niall ferguson, a british historian who teaches financial history in the united states, takes up the challenge with his new book, entitled quite simply empire. At its peak in the nineteenth century, the british empire was the largest empire ever known, governing roughly a quarter of the worlds population. By the eve of the second world war, over a fifth of the worlds land surface and nearly a quarter of the worlds population were under some form of british rule.
Jan 18, 2003 and now we have niall ferguson s new television series, of which this is the book, arguing in 1066 and all that fashion that britains version of empire was more a good thing than a bad, an. Niall ferguson has again written a brilliant book, wrote deirdre mccloskey in the wall street journal, this time in defence of traditional topdown principles of governing the wild market and the wilder international order. The rise and demise of the british world order and the lessons for global power is, first, a mouthful to say in one breath. How britain made the modern world by niall ferguson i enjoyed this book, so much so i bought the kindle version, the paperback and the audible.
The historian, biographer and author talks about the books he reads. Enjoyed reading niall s book and would recommend this for the history lessons. Oct 25, 2012 niall ferguson s acclaimed empire brilliantly unfolds the imperial story in all its splendours and its miseries, showing how a gang of buccaneers and golddiggers planted the seed of the biggest empire in all history and set the world on the road to modernity. The time is ripe for a reappraisal, and in empire, niall ferguson boldly recasts the british empire as one of the worlds greatest modernizing forces.
Apr 17, 2003 empire by niall ferguson in niall fergusons new book, the british empire was a good thing for everybody and the american empire now being born should take lessons from our stiffupperlipped. The historian niall fergusons new book goes a long way toward redressing the lack of perspective to a concept central to the technological revolution. Empire by niall ferguson, 9780465023295, download free ebooks, download free pdf epub ebook. A threepart television adaptation, niall ferguson s networld, will air on pbs in march 2020.
For decades, it has mainly provoked condemnation or at best discreet nostalgia. Niall ferguson argues that the british empire was an overall good entity and todays modern world needs another nation to step up and be a world leader. In niall fergusons 2002 book empire, ferguson argues that while the british empire had its faults, it was better for the people over whom it ruled and for the world as a whole. A little riskily, niall fergusons history of the british empire opens with a long quotation from joseph conrad. All this supported by data and historical documents that ferguson assembles in a catching and entairtaining fashion. Empire by niall ferguson in niall ferguson s new book, the british empire was a good thing for everybody and the american empire now being born should take lessons from our stiffupperlipped. Just like the british empire a century ago, the united states aspires to globalize free markets, the rule of. The british empire was the largest in all history, its reach the nearest thing to. How britain made the modern world by niall ferguson allen lane. Ferguson s most revolutionary and popular work, empire is a major reinterpretation of the british empire as one of the worlds greatest modernising forces. The rise and demise of the british world order and. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders.
Ferguson is an economist and historian at new york university and oxford, and his latest book is empire. Historian niall ferguson tells the story of britains glorious, and notsoglorious, reign as empire builder, bringer of peace and leader of the civilised world. Linda colley is impressed with the audacious style of niall fergusons empire, but thinks the conclusions he comes to are wrong. Less than 100 years after it spanned 25 per cent of the earths surface and embraced 444 million people, the british empire has become a term of derision, if not outright ridicule. How britain made the modern world new ed by ferguson, niall isbn. With this book, niall ferguson counters those superficial statements by bringing to surface the facts and people who shaped the history of the british empire, and the lessons we can learn from it. Though the books breadth is impressive, it is not intended to be a comprehensive history of the british empire. In his books colossus and empire, ferguson presents a reinterpretation of the history of the british empire and in conclusion. At its peak in the nineteenth century, the british empire was the largest empire ever. Access a free summary of empire, by niall ferguson and 20,000 other business, leadership and nonfiction books on getabstract. Niall ferguson is one of the worlds most renowned historians. In this book niall ferguson argues that the british empire should be regarded not merely as vanished victoriana but as the very cradle of modernity. The lessons of the past, is it different this time.
Niall ferguson s acclaimed empire brilliantly unfolds the imperial story in all its splendours and its miseries, showing how a gang of buccaneers and golddiggers planted the seed of the biggest empire in all history and set the world on the road to modernity. With an understanding of history that has set himself apart from other writers, he has managed to create a niche for himself quite unlike any other. In niall ferguson s 2002 book empire, ferguson argues that while the british empire had. Penguin presents the unabridged audiobook edition of empire by niall ferguson, read by jonathan keeble. How britain made the modern world ferguson, niall on. He is also a senior fellow at the hoover institution, stanford university, and a senior research fellow at jesus college, oxford. The rise and fall of the american empire, gives his readers a crashcourse in british imperial history starting with the. How britain made the modern world 01 by ferguson, niall isbn.
Apr 14, 2004 the time is ripe for a reappraisal, and in empire, niall ferguson boldly recasts the british empire as one of the worlds greatest modernizing forces. On a vast and vividly colored canvas, empire shows how the british empire acted as midwife to modernity. Niall ferguson s acclaimed bestseller on the highs and lows of britains empire once vast swathes of the globe were coloured imperial red and britannia ruled not just the waves, but the prairies of america, the plains of asia, the jungles of africa and the deserts of arabia. How britain made the modern world by niall ferguson. Niall fergusons acclaimed empire brilliantly unfolds the imperial story in all its splendours and its miseries, showing how a gang of buccaneers. In colossus he argues that in both military and economic terms america is nothing less than the most powerful empire the world has ever seen. He is the author of paper and iron, the house of rothschild, the pity of war, the cash nexus, empire, colossus, the war of the world, the ascent of money, high financier, civilization, the great degeneration, kissinger, 19231968. The book seeks to tell the story of the rise and demise of the british world order and the lessons for global power in just under 400 pages, which are lavishly well illustrated in. Niall ferguson on his intellectual influences five books. Niall ferguson books list of books by author niall ferguson. The british empire didnt exactly disappear, writes superstar scholar ferguson economicsnyu.
Once vast swathes of the globe were coloured imperial red, and britannia ruled not just the waves but the prairies of america, the plains of asia, t. Niall ferguson, author of this books sequel, colossus. The last sentiment spoken by the ruler of a rival and evil empire, encapsulate the main theme of empire, british scholar niall ferguson s extraordinary homage on which a bbc documentary was. Niall ferguson is a british historian, and the laurence a tisch professor of history at harvard university.
Britains empire was not won without bloodshed and suffering, from the devastation visited upon ireland to the staggering casualties wrought by the boer war, which ferguson likens to the vietnam conflict in two respects. The rise and demise of the british world order and the lessons for global power by niall ferguson. The rise and demise of the british world order and the lessons for global power is, first, a mouthful to. Once vast swathes of the globe were coloured imperial red, and britannia ruled not just the waves but the prairies of america, the plains of asia, the. Its a book once read, you can return and dip into for a refresher. Niall ferguson empire niall ferguson argues that the british empire was an overall good entity and todays modern world needs another nation to step up and be a world leader. The rise and fall of the american empire by niall ferguson and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. A financial history of the world, and civilization. The birth of islam and the rise of the global arab empire, which i am waiting my turn to. The rise and demise of the british world order and the lessons for global power.
The square and the tower raises the question of just how much the unruly world should be governedand by whom. The rise and demise of the british world order and the lessons for global power, a comprehensive history of how the british came to rule the world. How britain made the modern world, the ascent of money and a financial history of the world and civilization. The rise and demise of the british world order and the lessons for global power, by niall ferguson. A little riskily, niall fergusons history of the british empire opens with a long quotation from joseph conrads heart of darkness, that solemn meditation on imperial evil. Niall ferguson is a bete noire of liberals, having garnered a reputation for conservative, rightwing, even odious views. See all books authored by niall ferguson, including the ascent of money. Ferguson was the philippe roman visiting professor at. A bestselling historian shows how the british empire created the modern world, in a book lauded as a rattling good tale wall street journal and popular history at its best washington post the british empire was the largest in. Apr 02, 2003 the british empire was the largest in all history, its reach the nearest thing to world domination ever achieved. All this supported by data and historical documents that ferguson assembles in a.
Just like the british empire a century ago, the united states aspires to globalize free markets, the rule of law, and representative government. The americans have taken over our old role without yet facing the fact that an empire comes with it. Firstrate historian and author niall ferguson offers a politically incorrect interpretation of the fourcentury history of the british empire. How britain made the modern world audiobook by niall ferguson. In addition to his oxford visiting professorship, he also taught financial history at.
Stream and download audiobooks to your computer, tablet or mobile phone. Specializing in both economics and history, the scottish writer niall ferguson is world renowned for his highly incisive and informative writing. Niall fergusons acclaimed bestseller on the highs and lows of britains empire once vast swathes of the globe were coloured imperial red and britannia. Niall ferguson talked about his life and work, and responded to audience telephone calls and electronic mail. Niall ferguson s acclaimed bestseller on the highs and lows of britains empire once vast swathes of the globe were coloured imperial red and britannia ruled. Americans should read this as their empire could go down the same route as the british empire.
Once vast swathes of the globe were coloured imperial red and britannia rul. Niall ferguson s acclaimed empire brilliantly unfolds the imperial story in all its splendours and its miseries, showing how a gang of buccaneers and gold diggers planted the seed of the biggest empire in all history and set the world on the road to modernity. Previously, he was a professor at harvard university and new york university, was also a senior research fellow at jesus college, oxford, and a visiting professor at the new college of the humanities ferguson writes and speaks about. What the british empire did for the world from a speech by the historian, given at the intelligence squared debate at the royal geographical society. And so, although his treatment of the british empire in this book was recommended to me by someone whose opinion i would trust, i approached it with some caution. An important new work of synthesis and revision, empire argues that the world we know today is in large measure the product of britains age of empire. In niall ferguson s 2002 book empire, ferguson argues that while the british empire had its faults, it was better for the people over whom it ruled and for the world as a whole. Dive deep into niall fergusons empire with extended analysis, commentary, and discussion. Niall ferguson s most recent book is the square and the tower. Time magazine named niall ferguson among the 100 most influential people of 2004. From january to midfebruary 2003 six onehour television programmes, four lectures to substantial audiences in the university of londons senate house, and a large glossy book have been devoted to his theme of empire or, as he also puts it, how britain made the modern world.
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