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Συνοπτική ιστορία του 20ου αιώνα
Το ανάγνωσμα που κρατάτε στα χέρια σας, πόνημα του έγκριτου ιστορικού Geoffrey Blainey, πραγματοποιεί ένα συναρπαστικό ταξίδι ανά τον κόσμο και αγγίζει το σφυγμό μιας θυελλώδους εκατονταετίας. Με αιχμή του δόρατος το διεισδυτικό βλέμμα και το περίτεχνο αφηγηματικό ύφος, ο συγγραφέας δίνει πνοή στα γεγονότα που σημάδεψαν τον 20ό αιώνα: τους δύο παγκόσμιους πολέμους, την άνοδο και την πτώση του υπαρκτού σοσιαλισμού, τη δριμύτερη οικονομική ύφεση που γνώρισε ποτέ η ανθρωπότητα, την παρακμή των ευρωπαϊκών μοναρχιών και αυτοκρατοριών, την ανάρρηση της πρώτης γυναίκας πρωθυπουργού, την ανάκαμψη της Ασίας και την εξερεύνηση του διαστήματος.
Ωστόσο, η εξοικείωση με τα ορόσημα της παγκόσμιας ιστορίας δεν επαρκεί για την εμβριθή γνώση ή την κατανόησή της. Ως συνήθως, ο Blainey ζωντανεύει το παρελθόν με την καταγραφή του παλμού της καθημερινής ζωής: σκιαγραφεί εννιάχρονες μητέρες με κάτισχνα βρέφη στην αγκαλιά, περιγράφει με γλαφυρότητα σκηνές από τον αγροτικό βίο, καταγράφει την πολύβουη ατμόσφαιρα πυκνοκατοικημένων μεγαλουπόλεων. Κοντολογίς, αιχμαλωτίζει τα πάθη, τους θριάμβους και τις τραγωδίες του σημαντικότερου ίσως αιώνα της ιστορίας μας.
Ωστόσο, η εξοικείωση με τα ορόσημα της παγκόσμιας ιστορίας δεν επαρκεί για την εμβριθή γνώση ή την κατανόησή της. Ως συνήθως, ο Blainey ζωντανεύει το παρελθόν με την καταγραφή του παλμού της καθημερινής ζωής: σκιαγραφεί εννιάχρονες μητέρες με κάτισχνα βρέφη στην αγκαλιά, περιγράφει με γλαφυρότητα σκηνές από τον αγροτικό βίο, καταγράφει την πολύβουη ατμόσφαιρα πυκνοκατοικημένων μεγαλουπόλεων. Κοντολογίς, αιχμαλωτίζει τα πάθη, τους θριάμβους και τις τραγωδίες του σημαντικότερου ίσως αιώνα της ιστορίας μας.
578 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2005
72 people are currently reading
571 people want to read
About the author
Geoffrey Blainey
78 books80 followersGeoffrey Blainey, one of Australia's most eminent historians, was appointed the foundation Chancellor of the University of Ballarat (UB) in 1993 after an illustrious career at the University of Melbourne. He was installed as UB Chancellor in December 1994 and continued until 1998. The Blainey Auditorium at the Mt Helen Campus of UB is named in his honour. Blainey, always a keen exponent of libraries and the acquisition of books, has donated part of his extensive book collection to the UB library. In 2002 the honorary degree of Doctor of Letters was conferred on Blainey in recognition of his contribution to the University of Ballarat and to the community in general.
Educated at Ballarat High School, Blainey won a scholarship to Wesley College, before attending Melbourne University where he studied history. He worked as a freelance historical author writing mainly business histories such as The Peaks of Lyall; Gold and Paper; a History of the National Bank of Australasia; and Mines in the Spinifex. Blainey accepted a position at the University of Melbourne in 1962 in the Faculty of Economics and Commerce. He held the positions of Professor of Economic History (1968-77); Senior Lecturer 1962; and from 1977-1988 he occupied the Ernest Scott Chair of History at Melbourne University. Professor Blainey also held the chair of Australian studies at Harvard University.
As an economic historian, Blainey challenged the conventional view, questioning accepted contemporary understandings of European settlement of Australia as a convict nation, Aboriginal land rights, and Asian immigration. He is described as a 'courageous public intellectual, a writer with rare grace and a master storyteller'. In a reassessment of the life of Blainey, 'The Fuss that Never Ended' considers his ideas, his role in Australian history, politics and public life, and the controversies that surrounded him.
He was always popular with students. According to the Melbourne University home page 'When Geoffrey Blainey spoke to final-year students in the Friends of the Baillieu Library HSC Lectures in the 1970s, the Public Lecture Theatre was packed to capacity and his audience carried copies of his books to be signed, a tribute to what Geoffrey Bolton characterised as his "skills in interpreting technological change in admirably lucid narratives that appealed to both specialist and non-specialist audiences".
Among his most popular works are the 'The Rush that Never Ended: A History of Australian Mining'; 'The Tyranny of Distance'; 'A Shorter History of Australia'; 'A Short History of the World'; and 'The Origins of Australian Football'.
In 2000 Professor Blainey was awarded the Companion of the Order of Australia for service to academia, research and scholarship, and as a leader of public debate at the forefront of fundamental social and economic issues confronting the wider community. At that time the University's Vice-Chancellor Professor Kerry Cox said 'Geoffrey Blainey guided the new and inexperienced university through its first four years with a benevolent but firm hand. This time was challenging as the university strove to make a place for itself in higher education, grappled with funding cuts and the eventual merger with neighbouring TAFE institutes. For those at the university fortunate enough to work with Geoffrey Blainey during his time as Chancellor, they witnessed first hand his humility, and we are proud of his role in our history.'
In 2002 the degree of Doctor of Letters was conferred on Professor Blainey in recognition of his contribution to the University of Ballarat and the community in general. The same year Blainey donated a collection of material to the University of Ballarat. Included in this collection are historical books, papers and other material relating to the early history of mining and the central Victorian goldfields. A second generous donation of material was received in 2005. 'The Geoffrey Blainey Mining Collection' is l
Educated at Ballarat High School, Blainey won a scholarship to Wesley College, before attending Melbourne University where he studied history. He worked as a freelance historical author writing mainly business histories such as The Peaks of Lyall; Gold and Paper; a History of the National Bank of Australasia; and Mines in the Spinifex. Blainey accepted a position at the University of Melbourne in 1962 in the Faculty of Economics and Commerce. He held the positions of Professor of Economic History (1968-77); Senior Lecturer 1962; and from 1977-1988 he occupied the Ernest Scott Chair of History at Melbourne University. Professor Blainey also held the chair of Australian studies at Harvard University.
As an economic historian, Blainey challenged the conventional view, questioning accepted contemporary understandings of European settlement of Australia as a convict nation, Aboriginal land rights, and Asian immigration. He is described as a 'courageous public intellectual, a writer with rare grace and a master storyteller'. In a reassessment of the life of Blainey, 'The Fuss that Never Ended' considers his ideas, his role in Australian history, politics and public life, and the controversies that surrounded him.
He was always popular with students. According to the Melbourne University home page 'When Geoffrey Blainey spoke to final-year students in the Friends of the Baillieu Library HSC Lectures in the 1970s, the Public Lecture Theatre was packed to capacity and his audience carried copies of his books to be signed, a tribute to what Geoffrey Bolton characterised as his "skills in interpreting technological change in admirably lucid narratives that appealed to both specialist and non-specialist audiences".
Among his most popular works are the 'The Rush that Never Ended: A History of Australian Mining'; 'The Tyranny of Distance'; 'A Shorter History of Australia'; 'A Short History of the World'; and 'The Origins of Australian Football'.
In 2000 Professor Blainey was awarded the Companion of the Order of Australia for service to academia, research and scholarship, and as a leader of public debate at the forefront of fundamental social and economic issues confronting the wider community. At that time the University's Vice-Chancellor Professor Kerry Cox said 'Geoffrey Blainey guided the new and inexperienced university through its first four years with a benevolent but firm hand. This time was challenging as the university strove to make a place for itself in higher education, grappled with funding cuts and the eventual merger with neighbouring TAFE institutes. For those at the university fortunate enough to work with Geoffrey Blainey during his time as Chancellor, they witnessed first hand his humility, and we are proud of his role in our history.'
In 2002 the degree of Doctor of Letters was conferred on Professor Blainey in recognition of his contribution to the University of Ballarat and the community in general. The same year Blainey donated a collection of material to the University of Ballarat. Included in this collection are historical books, papers and other material relating to the early history of mining and the central Victorian goldfields. A second generous donation of material was received in 2005. 'The Geoffrey Blainey Mining Collection' is l
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
August 26, 2016
A perfect book for anyone seeking to learn about the 20th century in general, although it focuses more on America, Russia, Europe and some of Asia. The author tells the story, in my personal opinion, as if he was narrating a novel, this is what makes the reader enjoy reading the history as if it was a story, instead of reading just facts. It is also important to say that the book has no personal opinion from the author.
March 4, 2011
Very engaging overall and definitely filled in some gaps in my education. Interesting shift: events that I remembered as "current events" in school are now "history." The author throws in some thematic/cultural information at random; sometimes a bit disjointed. Also I would have loved to have a timeline showing what was simultaneously happening at different parts of the world throughout the 20th century. Hard to keep track of the 1930s, e.g., in North America, Asia, Europe, etc. I will probably read his "Short History of the World" as well.
December 31, 2017
Lieliska grāmata gada noslēgumā. Grāmatā īsi , lakoniski autors izstāsta 20.gadsimta vēsturi. Galvenie varoņi ir valstis, kuras 20.gs. laikā ir izdzīvojušas, ir mirušas un ir dzimušas jaunas. Šī ir nevis vēstures grāmata ar faktu uzskaitījumu, bet vairāk par gadsimta svarīgo notikumu cēloņsakarībām. Kāpēc ir noticis tieši tā un ne savādāk, un cik daudz pietrūka , lai notiktu savādāk.
No vienas puses grāmata ir tik saistoša, ka gribas lasīt arvien tālāk un ātrāk, no otras puses nākas ņemt talkā kartes un google, lai papētītu vēl vairāk par atbilstošajiem notikumiem. Grāmata lieti noderēs gan vēstures jomas iesācējiem, gan arī vēstures erudītiem, lai atklātu vēl kādas nezināmas vēstures notikumu fineses.
Ar šo grāmatu esmu ieinterešejies arī citos ši autora darbos.
Un noteikti pēc kāda laika šī grāmata jāpārlasa vēlreiz...
No vienas puses grāmata ir tik saistoša, ka gribas lasīt arvien tālāk un ātrāk, no otras puses nākas ņemt talkā kartes un google, lai papētītu vēl vairāk par atbilstošajiem notikumiem. Grāmata lieti noderēs gan vēstures jomas iesācējiem, gan arī vēstures erudītiem, lai atklātu vēl kādas nezināmas vēstures notikumu fineses.
Ar šo grāmatu esmu ieinterešejies arī citos ši autora darbos.
Un noteikti pēc kāda laika šī grāmata jāpārlasa vēlreiz...
November 17, 2020
Ceļojums 20. gadsimta vēsturē - daudz un dažādu notikumu atsvaidzināšana atmiņā un šādi tādi man iepriekš nezināmi notikumi un kopsakarības. Ierosinājums vairāku tēmu padziļinātai izpētei. Patika, ka svarīgākajām 20. gadsimta personām arī īss biogrāfisks apskats.
April 3, 2025
Excellent survey of the 20th-century. Blainey is a superb storyteller as well as an authorative scholar, recounting the most significant events of the last 100 years, and doing so from a hopeful Christian lens.
January 20, 2014
Very good book, that quickly explains what happened in the twentieth century, in the arts, science, politics, and daily life, so that we can further research the subjects which we find most interesting.
February 19, 2024
The twentieth century is arguably the most consequential century for humanity. It started with Europe's global dominance. Two world wars devastated Europe and its imperial power. Post-war, with Britain and France weakened, America and the Soviet Union vied for global influence in the shadow of nuclear Armageddon. America was ultimately triumphant, but by the turn of the century religious terrorism was beginning to challenge the new world order. Throughout, the world witnessed hyper-globalisation, monumental technological developments, and improvements in health and population.
Geoffrey Blainey's "A Short History of the 20th Century" succinctly outlines these key historical moments and more. It is a relatively short at 500 pages and organised chronologically. Some details are inevitably left out, but this enhances accessibility to a broader audience. Blainey utilises both traditional political historiography and social historiography. It is mostly Western-centric, but this is necessary considering the books brevity and that most major events and technologies originated in the Western World during this time period. Non-Western nations like China and India are also highlighted but primarily in relation to their interactions with the West.
Although liberalism defeated communism and fascism in the twentieth century, History did not end. Liberalism in the twenty-first century is threatened by foreign and domestic authoritarian forces. China challenges America's hegemony, Russia pursues revanchism, and America is perennially at war with terrorism. Despite globalisation, efforts are being made to ensure global supply chains are not reliant on adversaries. Transformative technologies like Artificial Intelligence are emerging amongst the disruptions of climate change. Like the twentieth century, we have already experienced global recession and a pandemic. I hope we avoid global war.
Geoffrey Blainey's "A Short History of the 20th Century" succinctly outlines these key historical moments and more. It is a relatively short at 500 pages and organised chronologically. Some details are inevitably left out, but this enhances accessibility to a broader audience. Blainey utilises both traditional political historiography and social historiography. It is mostly Western-centric, but this is necessary considering the books brevity and that most major events and technologies originated in the Western World during this time period. Non-Western nations like China and India are also highlighted but primarily in relation to their interactions with the West.
Although liberalism defeated communism and fascism in the twentieth century, History did not end. Liberalism in the twenty-first century is threatened by foreign and domestic authoritarian forces. China challenges America's hegemony, Russia pursues revanchism, and America is perennially at war with terrorism. Despite globalisation, efforts are being made to ensure global supply chains are not reliant on adversaries. Transformative technologies like Artificial Intelligence are emerging amongst the disruptions of climate change. Like the twentieth century, we have already experienced global recession and a pandemic. I hope we avoid global war.
August 6, 2018
This book, written by an Australian, was one of the best histories I've read. In a few hundred pages it covered almost all of the events of the 20th century in a concise and very readable form. It also kinda reminded me of the writing style of earlier good history books. It was not bogged down with political correctness and did not use overly pretentious words. Steinbeckian. I think you'll like it. A true 5star book.
October 19, 2021
This book is extraordinary.
Absolutely brimming with fascinating facts, astute observations and crisp connections, the staggering amount of research required to pull it together makes the eyes water. It is clearly the culmination of Blainey's life work as an historian, by his own admission, the book is some 55 years in the making.
Blainey crystalizes cause and effect with pithy yet accurate observations. With absolute ease he draws connections between people, places, trade, war, warfare, politics and passion, custom and belief, mood and temperament. In my experience at least, it's in this that lies his most remarkable achievement: for those seeking to learn how the world works is a book full of revelatory moments.
I can't recommend highly enough.
Absolutely brimming with fascinating facts, astute observations and crisp connections, the staggering amount of research required to pull it together makes the eyes water. It is clearly the culmination of Blainey's life work as an historian, by his own admission, the book is some 55 years in the making.
Blainey crystalizes cause and effect with pithy yet accurate observations. With absolute ease he draws connections between people, places, trade, war, warfare, politics and passion, custom and belief, mood and temperament. In my experience at least, it's in this that lies his most remarkable achievement: for those seeking to learn how the world works is a book full of revelatory moments.
I can't recommend highly enough.
August 11, 2020
(English)
I like to start my review by complimenting the author for his writing style. It really has a nice flow and makes the reading a very enjoyable experience. As expected, the book is centered on the 20th century in Europe and other first world nations. Of course, this choice has pros and cons. One pro is that the author can make a cohesive narrative that encompasses almost every major world event. On the other hand, by neglecting some facts, we may lose some context behind these events. Despite that, for me, as a Brazilian, it was a very good read, since I had some gaps in my History classes at school (specially fir the 20th century, which is focused almost on Brazilian History). It worked as a good complement for me.
(Português)
Começo a minha review elogiando o autor pelo seu estilo de escrita. Realmente a leitura do livro flui muito bem e torna-se uma experiência muito agradável.
Como esperado, o livro é centrado no século XX na Europa e em outras nações do primeiro mundo. Esta escolha, é claro, tem prós e contras. Uma das vantagens é que o autor pode fazer uma narrativa coesa que abrange quase todos os grandes eventos mundiais. Por outro lado, ao negligenciar alguns fatos, podemos perder algum contexto por trás de alguns eventos. Apesar disso, para mim, como brasileiro, foi uma leitura muito boa, pois tive algumas lacunas nas minhas aulas de História na escola (principalmente no século XX, que foi quase todo dedicado a História do Brasil). O livro funcionou como um bom complemento para mim.
I like to start my review by complimenting the author for his writing style. It really has a nice flow and makes the reading a very enjoyable experience. As expected, the book is centered on the 20th century in Europe and other first world nations. Of course, this choice has pros and cons. One pro is that the author can make a cohesive narrative that encompasses almost every major world event. On the other hand, by neglecting some facts, we may lose some context behind these events. Despite that, for me, as a Brazilian, it was a very good read, since I had some gaps in my History classes at school (specially fir the 20th century, which is focused almost on Brazilian History). It worked as a good complement for me.
(Português)
Começo a minha review elogiando o autor pelo seu estilo de escrita. Realmente a leitura do livro flui muito bem e torna-se uma experiência muito agradável.
Como esperado, o livro é centrado no século XX na Europa e em outras nações do primeiro mundo. Esta escolha, é claro, tem prós e contras. Uma das vantagens é que o autor pode fazer uma narrativa coesa que abrange quase todos os grandes eventos mundiais. Por outro lado, ao negligenciar alguns fatos, podemos perder algum contexto por trás de alguns eventos. Apesar disso, para mim, como brasileiro, foi uma leitura muito boa, pois tive algumas lacunas nas minhas aulas de História na escola (principalmente no século XX, que foi quase todo dedicado a História do Brasil). O livro funcionou como um bom complemento para mim.
March 29, 2021
This History did not deliver for me and I did not finish it.
If you have a broad knowledge of 2oth century history you won't find a lot that's new or revelatory here. Additionally I don't find Blainey's writing all that engaging, I'd even say a bit boring - he drones on relentlessly; it's quite dry. I do like my historians to be opinionated and to analyse so that even if I don't agree with them they stimulate thought and inner debate - you don't get much of that with Blaney in this book. Areas where I have done previous reading I often found his treatment facile and even to varying degrees at odds with other opinions but there is no acknowledgment of disagreements. This is Blaney telling his story and he's sticking to it.
I suppose if you want a quick primer in 20th century, mostly western history ( and that's understandable) from a slightly conservative point of view this could be a basic starting point. There are probably better books that do that. My rating is personal - I'm sure many would rate it higher - 2*
Plug: Blaney's The Great Seesaw is imo far better. I won't spoil but his thesis of historical cycles is interesting and he goes out on a bit of a limb - I have no idea how well received his ideas are but I was engaged.
If you have a broad knowledge of 2oth century history you won't find a lot that's new or revelatory here. Additionally I don't find Blainey's writing all that engaging, I'd even say a bit boring - he drones on relentlessly; it's quite dry. I do like my historians to be opinionated and to analyse so that even if I don't agree with them they stimulate thought and inner debate - you don't get much of that with Blaney in this book. Areas where I have done previous reading I often found his treatment facile and even to varying degrees at odds with other opinions but there is no acknowledgment of disagreements. This is Blaney telling his story and he's sticking to it.
I suppose if you want a quick primer in 20th century, mostly western history ( and that's understandable) from a slightly conservative point of view this could be a basic starting point. There are probably better books that do that. My rating is personal - I'm sure many would rate it higher - 2*
Plug: Blaney's The Great Seesaw is imo far better. I won't spoil but his thesis of historical cycles is interesting and he goes out on a bit of a limb - I have no idea how well received his ideas are but I was engaged.
April 21, 2020
Livro que gente velha e o Rafael acham legal. *som de morte do Roblox*
February 22, 2020
How do you fit 100 years of world history into 500 pages? With great skill. Short History is a remarkable book, filled with amazing vignetttes, statistics and very subtle commentary. The ability to accurately and effectively summarize information (what I call nutshellizing) is vastly underrated. Reading Geoffrey Blainey's short history reminded me of what an art form it is.
I would have enjoyed this more if not for the jarring sentence structure. I noticed it and it sounded awkward to me. Not every sentence mind you; generally the use of punctuation in particular made the meaning crystal clear, but clumsy constructions happened enough to warrant my comments.
What I really liked is that even though Blainey had to subjectively select what historical events he wrote about and how much he said about them, it came across as both comprehensive and balanced. Also, what I interpreted as his opinions were very cleverly inserted and unobtrusive. Having read biographies of Castro and Nixon over the last year, I found Short History a refreshing dose of brevity. Broadstrokes Blainey may have painted, but that was exactly what this reader wanted. It had the bonus effect of sparking interest for further reading.
When examining history, balance is important. For example, I've now read about the Cuban Missile Crisis from three perspectives. Nixon's, Castro's and Blainey's. Short History is a terrific book which I will hang on to and re visit often.
I would have enjoyed this more if not for the jarring sentence structure. I noticed it and it sounded awkward to me. Not every sentence mind you; generally the use of punctuation in particular made the meaning crystal clear, but clumsy constructions happened enough to warrant my comments.
What I really liked is that even though Blainey had to subjectively select what historical events he wrote about and how much he said about them, it came across as both comprehensive and balanced. Also, what I interpreted as his opinions were very cleverly inserted and unobtrusive. Having read biographies of Castro and Nixon over the last year, I found Short History a refreshing dose of brevity. Broadstrokes Blainey may have painted, but that was exactly what this reader wanted. It had the bonus effect of sparking interest for further reading.
When examining history, balance is important. For example, I've now read about the Cuban Missile Crisis from three perspectives. Nixon's, Castro's and Blainey's. Short History is a terrific book which I will hang on to and re visit often.
October 11, 2019
I like history books as I reckon you are pretty stupid if you can't learn from past mistakes and this one is a beauty. Professor Geoffrey Blainey from Melbourne University, who is Australia's best known historian, started his 'Short History' at 1900. It is a great choice of time scale was the period is one of great change, as well as two catastrophic wars. Although it didn't really tell me a great deal that was new, although some was, it did help me to understand the date sequence and how one event had influenced another. I thoroughly recommend it to anyone who is curious and wants to understand how things work.
April 13, 2018
Leitura simples e objectiva
February 26, 2021
Livro com capítulos curtos abordando diversos temas importantes para a compreensão do século XX.
June 24, 2022
这样一本简史，还是更适合对20世纪历史所知不多的入门者来阅读。
于我而言，它的定位就很尴尬了：绝大部分我了解的内容，都写得非常简略，所以几无价值；小部分我不了解的内容，也写得非常简略，因此我仍旧需要通过别的书才能更好地理解它们。
权当是一次（效率不太高的）温习了吧。
于我而言，它的定位就很尴尬了：绝大部分我了解的内容，都写得非常简略，所以几无价值；小部分我不了解的内容，也写得非常简略，因此我仍旧需要通过别的书才能更好地理解它们。
权当是一次（效率不太高的）温习了吧。
October 7, 2023
結束在巴以又發生在衝突這天。對於不太了解的部分還蠻想看更多細節的。語言簡單、易讀。都說歷史會重複，現在會是「三戰」前夜嗎？
November 13, 2024
文字非常亲切，写历史写得像生活。封底所选文字正是本书风格的集中体现。
December 7, 2024
My favourite historian
December 2, 2025
Easy read and great summary of the key events of the 20th century
August 25, 2016
Good read if you want a refresher of the events which surrounded the 20th century and how the two world war changed our lives. The book spend a good amount of time explaining the imperialism of the world leading up to the first world war and continued on to independence from imperial power. It covered all major events of the century, mostly on Europe, United States and Asia. Surprisingly, details of the Ottoman Empire leading up to Turkey's independence and Kemal Atarurk was also mentioned. Most importantly, it was a blunt reminder of the path humanity has taken - from the simple life to our current present, from 2 billion to 7 billion. A gentle reminder that we have done as much harm as good and the direction we're heading.
September 12, 2008
This is OK, but mostly for the nimble way that he summarizes a lot of incidents thematically--it's a pretty short book, given the scope. However, the less I knew about some historical incident, the better I thought his discussion was--Gallipoli, for instance. And I get a flavor of conservatism, which is a lot stronger when he talks about the sixties or anything idealistic. Plus he seems depressed about the whole thing. I wonder if it's that he can't quite be historically objective (which seems to be his aim), or if it's that I can't read history unless I can adopt the author's point of view. Anyway, now I know about Gallipoli.
September 22, 2014
Eu já tinha lido o "Uma Breve História do Mundo" do mesmo autor, mas gostei mais ainda deste. É realmente breve e lista os fatos mais importantes do século XX, parece um filme, um conto. Tanto quanto o outro livro, me faz pensar que eu gostaria de ter aprendido História na escola assim. Tudo faz sentido, fala sobre curiosidades e fatos e suas consequencias, que culminaram com os importantes eventos do século passado, como as 2 guerras mundiais, e vai até mudanças de comportamento e costumes, como os Beatles e o surgimento da Internet.
June 1, 2012
Great concept, but very disappointing. This would make an excellent review if you already knew all of the history of the 20th century, but for those who don't, it will prove frustratingly patchy and vague. In the interest of stylish writing, the author omits a lot of the hard facts: dates, names of treaties, movements and events, the nitty gritty of how a country has moved from dictatorship to democracy. There are probably better surveys of the 20th century out there.
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December 3, 2013As duas maiores guerras da Historia. Movimentos nacionalistas. Revoluções socialistas. Criação do Estado de Israel. Quebra da Bolsa de Nova Iorque. O século XX, com certeza, foi um período bastante agitado.
É sobre este turbulento século que o historiador e professor australiano Geoffrey Blainey trata em seu célebre livro, com uma fácil e gostosa leitura sobre os diversos acontecimentos históricos.
É sobre este turbulento século que o historiador e professor australiano Geoffrey Blainey trata em seu célebre livro, com uma fácil e gostosa leitura sobre os diversos acontecimentos históricos.
July 26, 2013
An excellent book to catch up with the history of the 20th century and to have an understanding how the countries in the world became who they are.
At least now I know how World War 1 started and subsequently World War 2. And the irony that the nuclear bomb is what is keeping us from going into World War 3!
At least now I know how World War 1 started and subsequently World War 2. And the irony that the nuclear bomb is what is keeping us from going into World War 3!
May 7, 2010
I think this is one of the most engaging, quality history books on the market. More of a narrative than a timeline, this brilliant number is packed with human interest and poignant speculation. Highly reccomended.
February 27, 2011
Ótimo livro. Geoffrey mostra-se um historiador competente permeando questões aparentemente de pouca importância e revelando suas influências no coditiano do mundo, assim como trabalha os grandes feitos revelando seus impactos.
Todo mundo deveria ler esse livro.
Todo mundo deveria ler esse livro.
March 29, 2011
Why would a Ghandi-style nonviolence approach have failed against Hitler? How close did democracy come to being wiped out? This eyeopening and well written history will increase your understanding of the forces that shape today's world.
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