book data
147 ratings, 4.24 average rating, 20 reviews
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published
May 1983
by HarperCollins
binding
Hardcover, 817 pages
isbn
0060151595
(isbn13: 9780060151591)
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other reviews (showing 1-20 of 239)
Read in February, 1994
recommended to Erin by:
Morton Blackwell
A fabulous book. I first read this when I was an intern working in DC. I have re-read it many times. It reiterated to me the unanticipated consequences of government action.
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Read in November, 2001
Paul Johnson is a great writer and incisive historian. He doesn't merely tell you what happened. He analyzes events, explains why they occurred, and even, at times, what may have happened otherwise.
His books do take some effort to get through. Long sentences, long paragraphs, long chapters - all with no breaks. Most books now are divided into two to three page segments, for easier and quicker reading, but this book defied that trend. But the reward is worth the struggle. Believe me, if you ...more
His books do take some effort to get through. Long sentences, long paragraphs, long chapters - all with no breaks. Most books now are divided into two to three page segments, for easier and quicker reading, but this book defied that trend. But the reward is worth the struggle. Believe me, if you ...more
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Read in March, 1987
One of the best explanations of the insanity of the 20th century I have ever read. First rate. Must read.
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We read this book with our home school reading group, and I was particularly struck by the bloodiness of modern history. Communism, fascism, socialism, philosophies of government aimed at manmade utopias on earth, inevitably end up killing people in unimaginable numbers. This book was also a reminder, in the face of today's troubling times, that our country has come through difficult straits in the past. While the downward spiral seems inevitable, God's people still have a powerful role and c...more
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I'm only 150 pages into this book's 800, but so far it's excellent. I didn't realize how detached and chillingly anti-human Lenin was, or recognize him as the originator of genocide as we know it. The section on Germany before Hitler is well-developed and makes it seem inevitable that if it wasn't Adolf, it would have been someone with similar beliefs and agenda. Can't wait for Stalin and Mao (Stalin's early days under Lenin are a disturbing suggestion of how easily a dull but efficient burea...more
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Read in May, 2003
recommends it for:
everyone
Paul Johnson is a brilliant historian -- and his book is a great survey of events during the twentieth century. Anyone who was not quite awake during modern history courses should definitely read this book. It is tedious in parts, but is packed with facts and interesting observations -- and even though I don't personally agree with all of his conclusions, I still highly recommend this book.
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I enjoyed this history on Audiobook (40+hours of commuting). I should only give it 4 stars for it's bias but it was so nice to have a political perspective that I agreed with presented in an academic book that I bumped it up.
I honestly think Mr Johnson correctly calls out foolishiness where it is due in the last 30 years. And no free ride for FDR or JFK for once.
I honestly think Mr Johnson correctly calls out foolishiness where it is due in the last 30 years. And no free ride for FDR or JFK for once.
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I first read Modern Times not long after it was published in 1983 and read it again in 1995 or 1996. I think I'm due for a re-read.
This is an excellent and superbly well-written survey of the history of the 20th Century. I also count this book as one of the most influential upon my outlook and views of politics, ideology, and the events of the 20th Century.
This is an excellent and superbly well-written survey of the history of the 20th Century. I also count this book as one of the most influential upon my outlook and views of politics, ideology, and the events of the 20th Century.
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I love all Paul Johnson's books but this is the best. The first chapter is a pithy read, skip it and read it last but don't let it stop you from reading this history.
It shows how a new force comes into the world and how it affects different countries around the world in different ways. Wonderful book.
It shows how a new force comes into the world and how it affects different countries around the world in different ways. Wonderful book.
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The amount of knowledge I'm gaining from this book is incredible. I just hope I have the good sense to turn what I'm learning into a little bit of wisdom for our modern age. I'm only 200 pages and hope I can finish by February (it's September now). What a book.
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A conservative polemic (he's critical of Ghandi!), but a great book of history. One of the few books I had trouble putting down. It stops in the 90s, so it felt a little dated, through no fault of its own.
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Read in January, 2000
Paul Johnson is a fine historian and a great writer. His output of enormous works of history is astonishing. He is not always right in his judgments, but he is always a joy to read. This book is his classic work.
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This is a good short history, but the closer he gets to the present, the more his personal leanings make themselves known. Which is fine, it's his book, but I enjoyed it less because of it.
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Indispensable for understanding the flow of events in the "modern age". Should be required reading for high school students.
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A pretty good history, albeit very conservative. Interesting to get a that view of history, but quite biased.
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Read in January, 2007
Decent right wing history of world affairs. Interesting conclusions. Doesn't focus enough on economics.
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Read in January, 1997
Very good review of recent history. Shallow but broad. Leads to other, more focused subject matter.
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Got this as a gift a while ago. I really enjoy Paul Johnson (conservative British historian).
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Read in December, 2007
A Good reference Book. Might be worthwhile to buy.
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