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  • The War of the World

  • History's Age of Hatred
  • By: Niall Ferguson
  • Narrated by: Saul Reichlin
  • Length: 34 hrs and 27 mins
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (71 ratings)

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The War of the World

By: Niall Ferguson
Narrated by: Saul Reichlin
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Publisher's Summary

Penguin presents the unabridged edition of The War of the World by Niall Ferguson, read by Saul Reichlin.

The world at the beginning of the 20th century seemed for most of its inhabitants stable and relatively benign. Globalising, booming economies married to technological breakthroughs seemed to promise a better world for most people.

Instead the 20th century proved to be overwhelmingly the most violent, frightening and brutalised in history, with fanatical, often genocidal warfare engulfing most societies between the outbreak of the First World War and the end of the Cold War.

What went wrong? How did we do this to ourselves? The War of the World comes up with compelling, fascinating answers. It is Niall Ferguson's masterpiece.

©2017 Niall Ferguson (P)2017 Penguin Audio
  • Unabridged Audiobook
  • Categories: History

Critic Reviews

"A heartbreaking, serious and thoughtful survey of human evil that is utterly fascinating and dramatic." (Simon Sebag Montefiore, The New York Times)
"Unputdownable, controversial, compelling." ( The Independent on Sunday)
"The grenade lobbed into the cosy tea party of received wisdom." (Max Hastings)

What listeners say about The War of the World

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  • Overall
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Daunting, Eye-opening and Dramatic

Niall Ferguson certainly has a way of altering your perception of the world's history and as a result; altering the way we see today's world. This book definitely has that effect on me. Whilst staying true to statistical analysis and professional historiography, Ferguson has also written this book in an extremely gruelling, emotional and dramatic flair which captivated me. The very fact he can switch to pop-culture references/light humour to disturbing and very graphic content is also seem less and appropriate. Bloody good book.

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2 people found this helpful

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Best book about WWI and WWII and everything after.

A brilliant book which gives an insight into the history leading to the wars and also how the wars shaped our world long after they were supposedly over. A must read (or listen).

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Amazing but moving

there were times i had to stop disgusted with the depravity of mans inhumanity to man. Niall tells it like it was and pulls no punches and it is at times harrowing particularly genocide bits. Every child should study this book in school compulsory reading if ppl understood the primitive motives we all have and how dehumanising ppl can lead to bloodshed the world might be a better place at the expense of some nightmares after listening to this. i wish niall had naratted this book though it can be a bit flat narration at times.

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Well Worth the Time

This really takes a while. Now that its finished . I wont to hear it again. So much detail..its almost asks more questions than it answers...One thing i know for certain. NEVER trust Politicians.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

book is about jewish suffering even when unrelated

book is good, but it relates everything back to jews as the ultimate victim. curious

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good read

a very interesting and evocative look at human behavior. unpleasant and brutal in many ways but looks of new insights

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    3 out of 5 stars
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Okay, but Ferguson has done better

I felt a bit misinformed by the description as I believed that the book would likely have more coverage of the cold war, the vast majority of this book covers the period pre-1950. Additionally Ferguson choice to focus on the psycho-sexual dimension of the world wars.
I would recommend this book for those who already have some knowledge of the period without as it does have some insight that isn't in all books of its subject.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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astute overview

a worthwhile investment that will foster a deeper understanding of 20th century conflict. Up there with Ferguson's finest work.

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An incredible history of 20th Century conflict

At 34 and a half hours, this book requires commitment but it will be amply rewarded through the author's forensic analysis of the major conflicts of the 20th century. Appropriately, emphasis is given to the World Wars however the perspectives of both causes and issues are examined in ways not found in many other books on the subject.

The narrator's tone and speed gave gravitas to the subject matter but was never condescending or overplayed.

I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in a serious examination of history's bloodiest century.

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    4 out of 5 stars
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Fairly bleak stuff

Important to look unflinchingly at the events of the 20th century but listening to the book likely isn't going to make you feel great. I like the recent history of the era and there were a few topics I hadn't heard much about before.

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