087157
London
2007
13×20
meki
532
engleski
Price: 12,00 EUR
"Civilization: A New History of the Western World" (2006) by Roger Osborne is a sweeping, one-volume history that traces the development of Western society from prehistory to the modern era. Unlike traditional histories that focus strictly on dates and battles, Osborne’s work integrates art, philosophy, science, and politics into a single, cohesive narrative. Osborne argues that Western civilization is not a linear march of progress but a "hazardous enterprise" filled with both immense creative power and unspeakable brutality. He traces the rise of rationalism from Greek philosophers like Plato and Aristotle to modern science. The author also contrasts achievements like Leonardo da Vinci and Beethoven with horrors such as Mussolini and concentration camps. He suggests that "civilization" is a story Western societies tell themselves to justify their actions, a narrative that has become increasingly disconnected from reality in recent decades. The book is divided into logical chapters that move from the Paleolithic era to current globalization. Major topics include: The birth of Western Christendom and the medieval town. The Italian Renaissance and the European Reformation. Industrialization, nationalism, and the rise of the military state. The "abyss" of the 20th century, focusing on the World Wars and genocide. The book has been widely praised by reviewers at major outlets. Roger Osborne is a professional playwright and full-time writer living in Scarborough, North Yorkshire. His other works include The Floating Egg: Episodes in the Making of Geology and The Deprat Affair.
