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Timeless Problems in History
301 pages, Hardcover
Published January 1, 1970
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November 13, 2015
One of the best history books I have ever read. Norling uses an extensive array of examples and citations to explore some very big questions. The book does not merely seek to document an event, or shed light on a little known corner of history, instead it looks at centuries of history to explore large themes related to the course of human events. Chapters include:
-Is anything inevitable
-Are revolutions worth the cost
-Does national character actually exist
-What are the conditions for cultural achievement
There are a few others as well, but these were my favorites. It is well written and accessible to all readers, not just historians. Of particular note is how well the text has stood the test of time. Written in the late 1960's, I was a bit concerned that the chapter on national character might be a bit behind the times in terms of a tolerant world view. I was wrong, other than a few outdated terms, the author addresses race, ethnicity, and notions of superiority in a way that could have been written yesterday. Overall, I strongly recommend it for everyone.
-Is anything inevitable
-Are revolutions worth the cost
-Does national character actually exist
-What are the conditions for cultural achievement
There are a few others as well, but these were my favorites. It is well written and accessible to all readers, not just historians. Of particular note is how well the text has stood the test of time. Written in the late 1960's, I was a bit concerned that the chapter on national character might be a bit behind the times in terms of a tolerant world view. I was wrong, other than a few outdated terms, the author addresses race, ethnicity, and notions of superiority in a way that could have been written yesterday. Overall, I strongly recommend it for everyone.
Displaying 1 of 1 review