Product Description

Harvard historian Niall Ferguson presents an explosive challenge to common assumptions about the 20th century. In this extraordinarily written and stunningly filmed series, Ferguson challenges nearly all our enduring assumptions about World War II which was, without question, the most destructive conflict the planet has ever seen.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #21675 in DVD
• Released on: 2008-08-12
• Rating: Unrated
• Aspect ratio: 1.77:1
• Formats: Closed-captioned, Color, DVD, NTSC, Widescreen
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 180 minutes

Customer Reviews

Engaging history with a fresh set of eyes
Niall Ferguson provides a lively, visual and vivid account of the twentieth century, questioning some well-worn assumptions and offering examples of perhaps a slightly revisionist theory of war and progress in the twentieth century. This is a good classroom companion or alternative to a history textbook and Ferguson's style is warm and provocative without being pedantic or argumentative. Who says history has to be boring?

A must see for any history buff
This documentary looks at the violence of the 20th Century in new light. Harvard historian Niall Ferguson takes a comprehensive look at the totality of conflict from the turn of the century, up through to the end of the Cold War and turns some of the conventional wisdom on its head. Great powers did not just wage war in the two World Wars, but engaged in various hostilities throughout the century, which in hindsight, looks more like a global 100-years war. Economic volatility, ethnic disintegration, and empires in decline were the root causes of these many pitiful wars that persisted in what was otherwise a century of unprecedented human progress. Moreover, the disruptions to the distribution of global power favored the rise of the East, more so than the West, in what turned out to be a 'tainted victory' for the allies at the end of WWII. The "Third World's War" was the ultimate result, as dueling superpowers waged war by proxy in undeveloped nations. These key points make this truly one of the most compelling documentaries ever presented, covering the two World Wars and the events that link them -- definitely a must see for anyone seriously interested in the history of warfare.

Great insight, Ferguson at his best
History comes to life through his passionate and insightful presence. A great recap of the last 100 years with great new insights in the human nature and the insanity of war.

If you like Ferguson, I'd also recommend "The World Without US", a film with a futuristic outlook about America's role in the world.

The World Without US - With Niall Ferguson