Age of Revolutions

Progress and Backlash from 1600 to the Present

By: Fareed Zakaria

Narrated by: Fareed Zakaria

The internationally bestselling author explores the revolutions—past and present—that define the chaotic, polarized, and unstable age in which we live.

Populist rage, ideological fracture, economic and technological shocks, geopolitical dangers, and an international system studded with catastrophic risk—the early decades of the 21st century may be one of the most revolutionary periods in modern history. But they are not the first. Humans have lived, and thrived, through more than one great realignment. What makes an age a revolutionary one? And how do they end?

In this major new work, Fareed Zakaria masterfully investigates eras that have shattered and shaped humanity. Four such periods hold profound lessons for today. First, in 17th-century Netherlands a series of transformations made that tiny land the richest in the world—and created modern politics as we know it today. The “Glorious Revolution” in Britain showed that major political change could happen peacefully. Next, the French Revolution, a dramatic decade and a half that devoured its ideological children and left a bloody legacy that haunts us to this day. Finally, the mother of all revolutions, the Industrial Revolution, which catapulted Britain and the US to global dominance and created the modern world. Against these paradigm-shifting historical eras, Zakaria describes our current situation, unpacking the four revolutions we are living through now; in globalization, technology, identity, and geopolitics.

As few public intellectuals can, Zakaria combines intellectual range, deep historical insight, and uncanny prescience to reframe and illuminate a turbulent present.

©2024 Fareed Zakaria (P)2024 Simon & Schuster Audio

Excellent book

Enjoyed and learned every chapter
History of revolutions and evolutions. Taught me a lot. Missing latin American revolutions.

Captivating

Once I started I just couldn't stop listening. it was really interesting and I enjoyed listening.

The March of History

A long perspective of history is an indispensable tool, moreover in “times of trouble” - or of simultaneous (and accelerating) disruption affecting almost all and almost everywhere. We were lucky that it took 10 years for the author to write it - as he recognizes - for it gave as the opportunity to see his powerful analysis of more recent events in a broader context, something which brings added benefits to his readers. It is a pity, however, that he failed to reflect more deeply into the consequences of bureaucracies - national or else - everywhere, this unelected powerful class, their immense power, their self serving perspective when dealing with new challenges and problems, and the consequences for society and countries. It is more that time to expand on von Mises analysis of almost a century ago…

Wider Lens

Fareed always helps me see more. His ability to explain history and clarify why we may be “where we are” is impressive. Understanding populism, liberalism and how China, Russia, and the USA - and the world is in a global economy- and needs to learn ways to compromise between conservative and more “modern” liberal ways is much clearer following this read. I wish for many to pick this book up and listen more than once. I did and I will listen again.

Informative

This book was very informative but lacks entertainment. I happy I gave it a listen.

Clarity of presentation

Brilliant! Makes a very complex subject so clear and understandable. Worthy of a Pulitzer Prize!

Wonderful audio

I love listening to Fareed speak. You can see that is genuinely excited about his ideas. Book is beautifully and thoughtfully written and researched. It is easy to listen to even for the lay person or someone who doesn’t know much about politics.

progress will be made steadily although slowly

Great beginning and end. The middle was long; it needed editing.

A useful passage for getting through the 2024 election:

‘If liberals can realize that time is on their side, and that their opponents are not always evil or stupid, then they might find that they are able to gain broader acceptance and that progress will be made steadily although slowly. Those who seek to restrain these disruptions for their part, should recall how resisting any change at all can simply bottle up frustration until it erupts in revolution.’

Insightful

A must read to understand the cycles that shape us. Well framed and researched. A critical guide as we navigate the ever increasing pace of change.

The more things change.....

I enjoyed Fareed's historical chronology of past revolutions and just how strikingly relevant they are today. Well done!