Christopher Clark is one of my favourite historians and this book is yet another reminder why.
The book is structured as a set of essays which do not necessarily need to be read in order (which he says), and they cover a wide range of historical topics.
There’s some real wit and humour on show throughout, which is his style, but his thoughts on the present moment in which we find ourselves is for me where he really shines. Some strong words about the narratives we are in in Europe now, responses to Brexiters and to German academics who attacked his earlier work Sleepwalkers.
As a former student of history at Cambridge, I also enjoyed in particular his remembrance of Chris Bayly, and the way World History has been discussed as a topic.
Definitely recommend.
Reviews and Comments
This link opens in a pop-up window
Christopowers rated The Basque History of the World: 5 stars
Christopowers rated End of Nature: 5 stars
Christopowers rated A VILLAGE IN THE THIRD REICH: 5 stars
Christopowers rated Immune: 5 stars
Immune by Philipp Dettmer
A gorgeously illustrated deep dive into the immune system that will forever change how you think about your body, from …
Christopowers rated Germany's Russia Problem: 5 stars
Christopowers rated Last Colony: 5 stars
Christopowers rated Great Cities in History: 5 stars
Christopowers rated 99 Maps to Save the Planet: 5 stars
Christopowers rated Grey Bees: 5 stars
Christopowers rated How Not to Be Wrong: 5 stars
Christopowers rated Gates of Europe: 5 stars
Christopowers rated Jonathan Livingston Seagull: 5 stars
Jonathan Livingston Seagull by Richard Bach
Because he spends so much time perfecting his flying form instead of concentrating on getting food, a seagull is ostracized …