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Civilization: The Six Ways The West Beat The Rest (2011)

by Niall Ferguson(Favorite Author)

3.74 of 5 Votes: 1

ISBN

1846142733 (ISBN13: 9781846142734)

languge

English

genre

History & Biography

publisher

Allen Lane

review 1: For an outsider like me, I found the book very interesting and flowing, independently whether you agree or not with his thesis.In particular I enjoyed 1) his comparison of North and South America colonization, whose differences have contributed to the actual welfare disparities: "in British colonies acres were widely distributed; in Spanish America it was the right to exploit the indigenous people which was granted to a tiny elite". The strong unequal land distribution and the lack in government and democracy experience in South America have strongly impacted on the actual poorer and unstable conditions.2) the effect of health and scientific developments during the colonialism period. Much part of it is dedicated to the French and German colonialism. Touching and shocking ... moreis the section on the not so well known genocide of the indigenous population of Namibia to create space for the German farmers and the reclusion of the survivors in concentration/death camps, very much anticipating the Nazi crimes. 3) he embraces and motivates Weber's theory regarding Capitalism having its origins in the Protestant ethics: Protestants lived to work as timeless labour was the surest sign to belong to the Elects. An important consequence of Protestant missionary work is that it strongly promoted litteracy wherever it goes (because of Luther's central idea of individual reading of the Bible). 4) finally he tries to identify causes for the marked loss in religious attendance and importance in Europe opposed to the much less dramatic loss in the USA:competition between sects in a free religious market has encouraged innovations in the Americas, while European state monopolies have proven inefficient.
review 2: This is a scholarly study that explores the reasons "Western Civilization" dominates our current era. Ferguson seems elitist at times, but very carefully explains the patterns that exist over time showing the rise and fall of Eastern, Middle Eastern and even Native American Civilizations. As he charts the rise and fall, he notes several characteristics, elements that define "Civilization", not empire or nation. The book spans thousands of years of history. Though he is making an argument and selecting what he discusses to make a point, he traces dozens of historical episodes and tells many interesting stories. Some of this material is well known while some is novel. In all of his writing, Ferguson brings new perspective supporting his definition of Civilization and explaining why the West is currently ascendent.In our modern age of multiculturalism, globalism and inclusiveness, a book that acknowledges and explains the ascendance of Western Civilization seems politically incorrect. However, Ferguson does a nice job and places Western Civilization in perspective. As the book goes on, he rambles a bit. In other words, there are chapters wherein the history obscures his point. I suppose he was trying not to beat his reader by connecting every detail as evidence in his argument. While it makes for a let cogent presentation, it makes for a more flowing read. Ultimately the book is well researched, well written and interesting. The West is in accent and Ferguson's argument is reasonable with lots of illustrative content that is enjoyable to read. less

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