A Short History of the Twentieth Century

By: John Lukacs

Narrated by: Gildart Jackson

The historian John Lukacs offers a concise history of the twentieth century-its two world wars and cold war, its nations and leaders. The great themes woven through this spirited narrative are inseparable from the author's own intellectual preoccupations: the fading of liberalism, the rise of populism and nationalism, the achievements and dangers of technology, and the continuing democratization of the globe.

The historical twentieth century began with the First World War in 1914 and ended seventy-five years later with the collapse of the Soviet Empire in 1989. The short century saw the end of European dominance and the rise of American power and influence throughout the world. The twentieth century was an American century-perhaps the American century.

Lukacs explores in detail the phenomenon of national socialism (national socialist parties, he reminds us, have outlived the century), Hitler's sole responsibility for the Second World War, and the crucial roles played by his determined opponents Churchill and Roosevelt. Between 1939 and 1942 Germany came closer to winning than many people suppose.

Lukacs casts a hard eye at the consequences of the Second World War-the often misunderstood Soviet-American cold war-and at the shifting social and political developments in the Far and Middle East and elsewhere. In an eloquent closing meditation on the passing of the twentieth century, he reflects on the advance of democracy throughout the world and the limitations of human knowledge.

©2013 John Lukacs (P)2013 Tantor

Critic reviews

"A masterpiece of concision and a marvel of clear, controlled prose, a quality lacking in much academic writing." ( Kirkus)

A good read, I would recommend the book.👍🏻

Good historian,I have read his other books, and would not hesitate in recommending those either. I certainly don’t agree with everything he writes, but even when I disagree with what he writes I can’t help but agreeing with the way he writes it. The speaker, I listen to this on audiobook as opposed to reading it, sounds British, and by that I mean pleasant to listen to.

Very well done interesting

A balanced outline of 20 th century history. I did not notice any errors of fact

Dissapointingly General

What would have made A Short History of the Twentieth Century better?

I know it's a short history but brief doesn't have to be synonomous with general. It could have easily given some detail about a few major events.

What was most disappointing about John Lukacs’s story?

It didn't mention anything about the King/Queen of England, the space race, major disasters, scientific/medical/tech advances or heros of the 1 & 2 world wars or details of major battles of the wars. I wish he would spend a little more time on these and less time defining certain words/terms.