Towards a chaotic theory of the past i niall ferguson 1. Pdf counterfactual thinking as a scientific method researchgate. Alternatives and counterfactuals, niall ferguson, edited by niall ferguson, virtual history applies counterfactual arguments to decisive moments in modern history. Niall ferguson, author of the highly acclaimed the pity of war, leads the charge in this historically rigorous series of separate voyages into imaginary time and provides farreaching answers to these intriguing questions. In it, he grapples with perhaps the most challenging questions of modern history. Tisch professor of history at harvard university and the william ziegler professor of business administration at harvard business school. Counterfactual history, also sometimes referred to as virtual history, is a form of historiography. Historians have traditionally refused to ask questions of the past, preferring to assume that whatever. Niall ferguson is the milbank family senior fellow at the hoover institution. In his opening chapter to virtual history, niall ferguson suggested. What if nazi germany had defeated the soviet union. The first world war killed around eight million men and bled europe dry. Alternatives and counterfactuals edited by niall ferguson skip to article content.
Pan books, 2003 leading historians explore what would have happened if historical events had turned out differently. Edited by niall ferguson new york, basic books, 1999 548 pp. Language and sources info in this extract ferguson takes these different essays and weaves them into a counterfactual narrative history. Alternatives and counterfactuals by niall ferguson free pdf d0wnl0ad, audio books, books to read, good books to read, cheap books, good. Niall ferguson has written several fine books that are mustreads for educated people. Astonishing in its scope and erudition, this is the magnum opus that niall ferguson s numerous acclaimed works have been leading up to. Ferguson s brilliant 90page introduction doubles as a manifesto on the methodology of counterfactual history. He is the author of paper and iron, the house of rothschilds, and the pity of war. The author first lays down the ground rules and looks at probable events that did not happen but could have happened and would have changed the course of history. Alternatives and counterfactuals by niall ferguson for online ebook. The west and the rest, bestselling author niall ferguson argues that, beginning in the fifteenth century, the west developed six powerful new concepts that the rest lacked.
The article is devoted to the analysis of chosen examples of counterfactual narratives which diverge from the typical alternative accounts of history written in the what if mode. Alternatives and counterfactuals by ferguson, niall from amazons fiction books store. In this groundbreaking new series hosted by niall ferguson and based on his bestselling book the square and the tower, ferguson visits network theorists, social scientists and data analysts. Virtual history makes for a stimulating and intellectually rigorous trip, with fergusons own delightful afterword as the collections crowning jewel, a brilliantand often bitingly clevertimeline tying together all the threads from 1646 to 1996. Niall ferguson is one of the worlds most renowned historians. Alternatives and counterfactuals by niall ferguson penguin books ltd. Niall fergusons acclaimed bestseller on the highs and lows of britains empire.
In this extract ferguson takes these different essays and weaves them into a counterfactual narrative history. Ferguson begins his introductory essay to this thoughtprovoking volume with the phrase, what if. It focuses on counterfactual representations of space flight and moon landing as crucial historical events of the 20 th century. Alternatives and counterfactuals niall ferguson these include the pity of war on wwi, the war of the world about the major conflicts in the 20th century including a stunning chapter on the armed slave labor camp that was the soviet union, and this book virtual history on counterfactual or what if history. Niall ferguson is fellow and tutor in modern history at jesus college, ox ford. Doing so, ferguson placed virtual history within the limits of past perceptions. Those that are fond of history and question purported historical facts will love this book. This meaty, scholarly collection of essays by gifted. Niall ferguson is a historian who wrote the pity of war, virtual history and.
Schumpeter warned that socialism might ultimately prevail. Skip to main content accessibility help we use cookies to distinguish you from other users and to provide you with a better experience on our websites. Virtual history by niall ferguson fatherland by robert harris the alteration by. Previously, he was a professor at harvard university and new york university, was also a senior research fellow at jesus college, oxford, and a visiting professor at the new college of the humanities ferguson writes and speaks about. With an understanding of history that has set himself apart from other writers, he has managed to create a niche for himself quite unlike any other. Edited by niall ferguson, virtual history applies counterfactual arguments to decisive moments in modern history. He is the author of paper and iron, the house of rothschild, the pity of war, the cash nexus, empire, colossus, the war of the world, the ascent of money, high financier, civilization. His other books for penguin include empire, the cash nexus, colossus, the war of the world, virtual history, high financier and.
Speculative history at its best, in which a talented team of historians, led by niall ferguson, explore what might have happened if nine momentous events had turned out differently. What would the world be like if communism had never collapsed. We believe the history of chimerica can be divided into three different periods. Niall ferguson s wrong to say childfree people care less about the world julie bindel julie bindel. Empire how britain made the modern world 1of6 why britain. Virtual history is the brainchild of niall ferguson, a fellow and tutor in modern history at jesus college, oxford, and the author of a formidable history of the house. Once vast swathes of the globe were coloured imperial red and britannia ruled not just the waves, but the prairies of america, the plains of asia, the jungles of africa and the deserts of arabia. Virtual history alternatives and counterfactuals 1997 a collection of essays from pols 1501 at university of memphis. Niall ferguson, milbank family senior fellow, hoover institution. Niall ferguson, author of the highly acclaimed the pity of war, leads the charge in. Virtual history and counterfactual narrative of the past.
He specializes in financial and economic history as well as the history of empire. Alternatives and counterfactuals by niall ferguson. The implications of virtual history deserve to be meditated by every historian. The method, in which primary source documents are used as the basis of. Virtual historyalternatives and counterfactuals by niall. Specializing in both economics and history, the scottish writer niall ferguson is world renowned for his highly incisive and informative writing. He writes regularly for the times literary supplement, and lives in oxford. Why was the twentieth century history s bloodiest by far. Another remarkably well researched book by niall ferguson. A collection edited by niall ferguson, virtual history. He is also a senior fellow at the hoover institution, stanford university, and a senior research fellow at jesus college, oxford. Niall ferguson was born april 18, 1964, in glasgow. These include the pity of war on wwi, the war of the world about the major conflicts in the 20th century including a stunning chapter on the armed slave labor camp that was the soviet union, and this book virtual history on counterfactual or what if history.
What if britain had stayed out of the first world war. We use cookies to offer you a better experience, personalize content, tailor advertising, provide social media features, and better understand the use of our services. He is also a senior research fellow of jesus college, oxford university, and a senior fellow of the hoover institution, stanford university. Alternatives and counterfactuals edited by niall ferguson historiographical counterfactuals and historical contingency tucker 1999 history and theory wiley online library.