Age of Revolutions

Progress and Backlash from 1600 to the Present

De: Fareed Zakaria

Narrado por: 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.

Excellent

The author was able to bring together multiple different stories into a cohesive organized understanding of modern history. From the multiple sources quoted the author has meticulously crafted and understandable and thoughtful of the forces that have resulted in the modern world. This is a book that was long overdue. It is historical and entertaining, which is a rarity in my experience. I hope that anyone who listens to Joyce said as much as I did.

Compelling

Excellent book. I expect nothing less from this author. The book gave me a lot to think about.

informative

Twas dope and informative. Good narration by the author and in depth analysis. He not only dwelced into the past but also into the state of affairs of today, with some information on what might be tomorrow.

Very interesting

Fareed's narration is excellent. That's all I want to say and I don't want to add more than 15 words. Thank you.

A wonderful compilation of history from various mostly contemporary sources

Loved the narrator’s voice & diction - the statistics were often startling & informed the narrative. I really enjoyed hearing other contemporary historians talking about our present world.