Age of Extremes
The Short Twentieth Century 1914 - 1991
Hobsbawm, Eric Publisher: Abacus, London, United Kingdom
Year Published: 1997 First Published: 1994
Pages: 627pp Price: $19.95 ISBN: 0-349-10671-1
Resource Type: Book
A overview of the history of the years 1914 - 1991.
Abstract: Hobsbawm gives his personal interpretation of the political events of the twentieth century. He cuts his time line down to include only the years between 1914 and 1991, hence the subtitle 'The Short Twentieth Century'. There is a great deal of focus on the ideologies at play and their influence on the events. The analysis of the past is used in Hobsbawm's conclusion that the future must change course. The Age of Extremes is over, and capitalism cannot survive much longer.
The history is constructed and dissected in a chronological order. There is a division around the end of the old colonial system and beginning of the Cold War Era. Part 1 is called the Age of Catastrophe and Part 2 is The Golden Age. The two sections include revealing photographs of the
events and government propaganda to support Hobsbawm's allegations. Each chapter begins with a few quotations from writers, historians, philosophers and anthropologists.
One purpose of this book is to show that the destruction of society is yet to come. Hobsbawm advocates a restructuring of society to steer away from the tragedies of the twentieth century. In order to change society for the better, capitalism must be overthrown. The book chronicles the history of socialism and urges its revival. "The future cannot be a continuation of the past." Capitalism can easily continue on, according to Hobsbawm, but if it does, it will destroy society.
[Abstract by Mia Manns]
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