The Twentieth Century

A World History

Nonfiction, History, World History, Modern, 20th Century
Cover of the book The Twentieth Century by Clive Ponting, Henry Holt and Co.
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Clive Ponting ISBN: 9781466876439
Publisher: Henry Holt and Co. Publication: July 29, 2014
Imprint: Henry Holt and Co. Language: English
Author: Clive Ponting
ISBN: 9781466876439
Publisher: Henry Holt and Co.
Publication: July 29, 2014
Imprint: Henry Holt and Co.
Language: English

For much of the world, the twentieth century can be seen as a big-budget disaster film--the stifling darkness of oppression, the green of the ruling classes. For the world's elite, the near-universal adoption of capitalism today reveals modern history as a narrative of unbroken progress.

Eschewing conventional chronological accounts, The Twentieth Century is organized around the major themes of the last hundred years. To help us understand our recent past and probable future, Clive Ponting offers a "world systems" theory. His analysis holds that a few core states have dominated much of the rest of the world, which provides raw materials and cheap labor and remains tied to the core as virtual colonial territory. Between these extremes are Latin America, the Middle East, and eastern Asia, which have a limited shot at self-determination. Economic, social, and political differences between the core and periphery continue to grow. Atlantic predominance, which molded world history for four hundred years, has been challenged by the countries of the Pacific.

The book's central theme revolves around the struggle between progress and barbarism; the hope for our future is that "our conscience will catch up with our reason." Everywhere in the world people now live longer than their predecessors. A majority has become literate, and most have benefited from recent technological progress. Nevertheless, democracy is unavailable to the preponderance of people, and in the century's final years the chasm between rich and poor continues to expand. On the eve of the millennium this vivid history is a must-read.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

For much of the world, the twentieth century can be seen as a big-budget disaster film--the stifling darkness of oppression, the green of the ruling classes. For the world's elite, the near-universal adoption of capitalism today reveals modern history as a narrative of unbroken progress.

Eschewing conventional chronological accounts, The Twentieth Century is organized around the major themes of the last hundred years. To help us understand our recent past and probable future, Clive Ponting offers a "world systems" theory. His analysis holds that a few core states have dominated much of the rest of the world, which provides raw materials and cheap labor and remains tied to the core as virtual colonial territory. Between these extremes are Latin America, the Middle East, and eastern Asia, which have a limited shot at self-determination. Economic, social, and political differences between the core and periphery continue to grow. Atlantic predominance, which molded world history for four hundred years, has been challenged by the countries of the Pacific.

The book's central theme revolves around the struggle between progress and barbarism; the hope for our future is that "our conscience will catch up with our reason." Everywhere in the world people now live longer than their predecessors. A majority has become literate, and most have benefited from recent technological progress. Nevertheless, democracy is unavailable to the preponderance of people, and in the century's final years the chasm between rich and poor continues to expand. On the eve of the millennium this vivid history is a must-read.

More books from Henry Holt and Co.

Cover of the book Sky's Witness by Clive Ponting
Cover of the book The Left-Handed Fate by Clive Ponting
Cover of the book Golden Opportunities by Clive Ponting
Cover of the book The Day Freedom Died by Clive Ponting
Cover of the book George H. W. Bush by Clive Ponting
Cover of the book Writer Tells All by Clive Ponting
Cover of the book Time Sight by Clive Ponting
Cover of the book George Washington by Clive Ponting
Cover of the book Among the Mad by Clive Ponting
Cover of the book Bring Up the Bodies by Clive Ponting
Cover of the book Viruses by Clive Ponting
Cover of the book The Vital Touch by Clive Ponting
Cover of the book The Gods of Olympus by Clive Ponting
Cover of the book The Andy Cohen Diaries by Clive Ponting
Cover of the book War Is Not Over When It's Over by Clive Ponting
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy