AGE OF EXTREMES 1914-1991

Hobsbawm 'is arguably our greatest living historian - not only Britain's, but the world's.' - Spectator. The eminent historian here provides a personal vision of the 20th century, remarkable in its scope, breath-taking in its depth of knowledge, and immensely rewarding to read. He reviews the uniquely destructive and creative nature of the troubled 20th century, and makes challenging predictions for the future. 'The power of Hobsbawm's exploration of the age of hot and cold wars lies in its brilliant synthesis of familiar, though sometimes forgotten, facts and ideas.' - Ben Pimlott. It is an incisive overview of the history of the 20th century reviewing the legacy of two world wars, the Depression, the age of colonialism, the Cold War, the collapse of the USSR, and the era's technological and scientific advances. Dividing the century into the Age of Catastrophe 1914-1950, the Golden Age 1950-1973, and the Landslide 1973-1991, Hobsbawm marshals a vast array of data into a volume of unparalleled inclusiveness, vibrancy and insight that ranks with his 'classics' The Age of Empire and The Age of Revolution. Communism became a messianic faith and collapsed ignominiously. Peasants became city dwellers, housewives became workers and, increasingly leaders. Populations became literated even as new technologies threatened to make print obsolete, and the driving forces of history swung from Europe to its former colonies. With 32 pages of photos, 627pp, paperback.