I enjoy controversial historian, Niall Ferguson. For one thing, he takes an economic and financial view of history which I find enlightening. In his latest book, Civilization: The West and the Rest, Ferguson asks why the West emerged as the leader in wealth and technology over the rest of the world. His answer is that the West developed “killer apps” that pushed them head-and-shoulders over the rest of the world. The “killer apps” are: competition, science, property rights, medicine, the consumer society, and work ethic. The West’s status is threatened, according to Ferguson, because the rest of the world is finally catching on and they’re working on implementing those killer apps for their countries. If you’re in the mood for a provocative read, Civilization will agitate you. GRADE: B+
How do you manage to read so many books!
I don’t travel much, Patti.
Isn’t this case somewhat similar to the one made by Jared Diamond in his (very interesting) book GUNS, GERMS, AND STEEL? Although Diamond brings in a geographical element to explain why the west (and not the rest) developed those “killer aps.”
You’re right, Deb. Niall Ferguson gives a nod to GUNS, GERMS, AND STEEL, but expands on the factors he believes gave the West the edge over all the other countries. CIVILIZATION is a controversial, breezy read.