{"title":"Niall Ferguson","description":"\u003cp\u003eNiall Ferguson is a renowned historian and author, celebrated for his insightful and thought-provoking works on history, politics, and economics. His books are not just narratives of the past; they are engaging and analytical explorations that provide context to today's world.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIn \u003cem\u003eCivilization\u003c\/em\u003e, Ferguson examines the great civilisations and the factors that led to Western dominance. Meanwhile, \u003cem\u003eDoom: The Politics of Catastrophe\u003c\/em\u003e is a timely study on the history of disasters and the lessons they hold for the future.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eFerguson's exploration of imperial history continues with \u003cem\u003eEmpire\u003c\/em\u003e, where he discusses the British Empire's influence on the modern world. In \u003cem\u003eThe Ascent of Money\u003c\/em\u003e, he traces the history of finance, shedding light on its pivotal role in the development of human society.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eHis works also delve into the consequences of political and economic decisions in books like \u003cem\u003eThe Great Degeneration\u003c\/em\u003e, which critiques the decline of Western institutions and offers ideas for renewal.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe detailed biography \u003cem\u003eThe House of Rothschild\u003c\/em\u003e reveals the legacy of one of history's most influential banking families, while \u003cem\u003eThe Square and the Tower\u003c\/em\u003e provides an intriguing analysis of the impact of networks throughout history.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIf you're interested in understanding the complexities of our world through the lens of history, politics, and economics, Niall Ferguson's books are an essential read. His comprehensive research and captivating storytelling make history both accessible and compelling.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"empire","title":"Empire","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNiall Ferguson's \u003cem\u003eEmpire\u003c\/em\u003e takes readers on a riveting journey through the highs and lows of the British Empire, offering a bold reinterpretation of its impact on the modern world. This enthralling narrative captures the essence of the excitement, brutality, and adventure that characterised the British Empire's expansion from the late 16th century to its zenith in the 19th century, and its eventual decline in the 20th century.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eFerguson's work is more than just a historical account; it is a sweeping analysis that challenges widely-held perceptions by arguing that the empire was one of the greatest forces of modernisation ever seen. With meticulous research and compelling storytelling, Ferguson illustrates how the British Empire, driven by the power of steam, telegraph, military innovation, engineering prowess, missionary zeal, and waves of settlers, laid the groundwork for the phenomenon we now call globalisation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe book vividly portrays the profound transformations brought about by the British Empire, including the spread of industrial technology, the creation of global trade networks, and the establishment of a common legal and linguistic framework in many regions of the world. Ferguson also touches on the darker aspects of the empire, acknowledging the conflicts, exploitation, and cultural upheaval that accompanied its expansion.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThrough a vast canvas, Ferguson examines pivotal events and figures that defined the British Empire, from its early forays into America and India to the climactic battles in Africa and the Middle East. His insightful analysis offers a nuanced view of historical developments, making \u003cem\u003eEmpire\u003c\/em\u003e a compelling read for history enthusiasts and anyone interested in understanding the roots of contemporary globalisation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eEmpire\u003c\/em\u003e is praised for its thorough research, engaging narrative, and thought-provoking reinterpretation of one of history's most formidable empires. By blending academic rigour with accessible prose, Niall Ferguson presents a masterful account that remains essential reading for those seeking to understand the complex legacy of the British Empire.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Penguin Random House Distribution","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45695335858412,"sku":"9780141037318","price":16.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/cbf6efa4929f8253455bd7df4df0f071.jpg?v=1794522415"},{"product_id":"the-ascent-of-money","title":"The Ascent of Money","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn \u003ci\u003eThe Ascent of Money\u003c\/i\u003e, renowned historian Niall Ferguson weaves a rich narrative that chronicles the remarkable evolution of finance, tracing its origins and exploring its profound impact on human civilisation. Delving into the intricate tapestry of economic history, Ferguson provides a comprehensive account of how money has been the driving force behind pivotal events and societal transformations throughout the ages.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eFerguson begins his exploration by examining the essential role of finance in sparking the Renaissance in Italy, where bankers and merchants thrived amidst a flourishing culture of innovation and artistry. Moving through the annals of history, he illuminates the creation of stock markets and the ensuing bubbles, such as the one that contributed to the French Revolution. By tracing the development of bonds and their significance in funding Britain's wartime efforts, Ferguson uncovers the deep link between financial instruments and global conflicts.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe narrative takes a turn to explore the devastating effects of financial collapses, exemplified by the Wall Street Crash of 1929 and the economic meltdown in contemporary times. Ferguson's acute analysis helps readers grasp the recurring cycles of boom and bust that have shaped, and often shattered, societies across centuries. By shedding light on the pivotal role of economic forces, Ferguson brings to life the otherwise abstract concept of money and its journey through history.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThis new edition of \u003ci\u003eThe Ascent of Money\u003c\/i\u003e is enriched with a major new chapter that delves into the first ten years following the Financial Crisis of 2008. Ferguson meticulously examines the causes and consequences of the crisis, providing crucial insights into the intricate mechanisms that led to one of the most tumultuous periods in modern economic history.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWhether you are deeply entrenched in the world of finance or simply seeking to understand the complexities behind the global economy, \u003ci\u003eThe Ascent of Money\u003c\/i\u003e offers an unparalleled journey through the triumphs and tribulations of financial history. Ferguson's masterful storytelling and in-depth analysis make this an indispensable read for anyone intrigued by the power of money and its far-reaching influence on human progress.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Penguin Random House NZ","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45747123781868,"sku":"9780141990262","price":24.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/b3a996f13cb53ddcc88f620e7db6ecbd.jpg?v=1794557730"},{"product_id":"the-house-of-rothschild-by-niall-ferguson-9780140240849","title":"The House of Rothschild","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFrom the bestselling author of \u003cem\u003eThe Ascent of Money\u003c\/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003eThe Square and the Tower\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIn his rich and nuanced portrait of the remarkable, elusive Rothschild family, Oxford scholar and bestselling author Niall Ferguson uncovers the secrets behind the family's\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Penguin Random House NZ","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46071816913132,"sku":"9780140240849","price":80.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/9780140240849.jpg?v=1736068208"},{"product_id":"the-house-of-rothschild-by-niall-ferguson-9780140286625","title":"The House of Rothschild","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis second volume of Niall Ferguson's acclaimed, landmark history of the legendary Rothschild banking dynasty concludes his myth-breaking portrait of one of the most powerful and fascinating families of modern times.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWith all the depth, clarity and drama with which he traced the Rothschild's ascent, Ferguson shows how their power waned as conflicts from Crimea to the Second World War repeatedly threatened the stability of their worldwide empire, and how their failure to establish themselves successfully in the United States would prove fateful.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAt once a classic family saga and a major work of economic, social and political history, this is the definitive biography of some of the most powerful financiers of recent times.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Penguin Random House NZ","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46071817240812,"sku":"9780140286625","price":74.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/9780140286625.jpg?v=1736072758"},{"product_id":"the-square-and-the-tower-by-niall-ferguson-9780141984810","title":"The Square and the Tower","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe new bestseller that shows why everything we thought we knew about history was wrong.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e'The most brilliant historian of his generation'\u003c\/em\u003e – The Times\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eMost history is hierarchical — it's about popes, presidents, and prime ministers. But what if that's simply because they create the historical archives? What if we are missing equally powerful but less visible networks — leaving them to the conspiracy theorists, with their dreams of all-powerful Illuminati?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe twenty-first century has been hailed as the Networked Age. But in \u003cem\u003eThe Square and the Tower\u003c\/em\u003e, Niall Ferguson argues that social networks are nothing new. From the printers and preachers who made the Reformation to the freemasons who led the American Revolution, it was the networkers who disrupted the old order of popes and kings. Far from being novel, our era is the Second Networked Age, with the computer in the role of the printing press. But networks have a dark side, prone to clustering, contagions, and even outages. And the conflicts of the past already have unnerving parallels today, in the time of Facebook, Islamic State, and Trumpworld.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Penguin Random House NZ","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46338695725292,"sku":"9780141984810","price":27.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/14650083482238.jpg?v=1743744137"},{"product_id":"the-great-degeneration-by-niall-ferguson-9780141975238","title":"The Great Degeneration","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eNiall Ferguson's\u003c\/i\u003e pithy, digestible polemic on the decline of the West.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eThe Great Degeneration\u003c\/i\u003e is a powerful—and in places polemical—indictment of an era of negligence and complacency. While the Arab world struggles to adopt democracy, and while China struggles to move from economic liberalisation to the rule of law, Europeans and Americans alike are frittering away the institutional inheritance of centuries. To arrest the degeneration of the West's once dominant civilisation, Ferguson warns, will take heroic leadership and radical reform.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThis book is based on Niall Ferguson's BBC Radio 4 Reith Lectures 2012, which were broadcast under the title \u003ci\u003eThe Rule of Law and Its Enemies\u003c\/i\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Penguin Random House NZ","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46342760825068,"sku":"9780141975238","price":24.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/14554363482238.jpg?v=1743940818"},{"product_id":"civilization-by-niall-ferguson-9780141987934","title":"Civilization","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eCivilization\u003c\/i\u003e: How the West's six 'killer apps' transformed the history of the world\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWinner of the Estoril Global Issues Distinguished Book Prize 2013\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIf in the year 1411 you had been able to circumnavigate the globe and compare the dazzling civilizations of the Orient with Europe and North America, the idea that the West would dominate the Rest for most of the next half millennium would have struck you as wildly fanciful. So how did it happen?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe answer, Ferguson argues, was the West's development of six 'killer applications'—competition, science, property, medicine, consumerism and the work ethic. But has the West now lost its monopoly on these six things? If so, are we living through the end of Western ascendancy?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Penguin Random House NZ","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46497931591916,"sku":"9780141987934","price":27.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/14681323482238.jpg?v=1748526275"},{"product_id":"doom-the-politics-of-catastrophe-by-niall-ferguson-9780141995557","title":"Doom: The Politics of Catastrophe","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA provocative, original and compelling history of catastrophes and their consequences.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eDisasters are by their very nature hard to predict. Pandemics, like earthquakes, wildfires, financial crises, and wars, are not normally distributed; there is no cycle of history to help us anticipate the next catastrophe. But when disaster strikes, we ought to be better prepared than the Romans were when Vesuvius erupted or medieval Italians when the Black Death struck. We have science on our side, after all. Yet the responses of a number of developed countries to a new pathogen from China were badly bungled. Why?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe facile answer is to blame poor leadership. While populist rulers have certainly performed poorly in the face of the pandemic, more profound problems have been exposed by COVID-19. Only when we understand the central challenge posed by disaster in history can we see that this was also a failure of an administrative state and of economic elites that had grown myopic over much longer than just a few years.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWhy were so many Cassandras for so long ignored? Why did only some countries learn the right lessons from SARS and MERS? Why do appeals to 'the science' often turn out to be mere magical thinking?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eDrawing from multiple disciplines, including history, economics, public health, and network science, \u003cem\u003eDoom: The Politics of Catastrophe\u003c\/em\u003e is a global post-mortem for a plague year. Drawing on preoccupations that have shaped his books for some twenty years, Niall Ferguson describes the pathologies that have done us so much damage—from imperial hubris to bureaucratic sclerosis and online schism. COVID-19 was a test failed by countries who must learn some serious lessons from history if they are to avoid the doom of irreversible decline.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Penguin Random House NZ","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46530130739436,"sku":"9780141995557","price":29.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/14757553482238.jpg?v=1749249584"}],"url":"https:\/\/bookhero.pro\/collections\/niall-ferguson.oembed","provider":"Book Hero","version":"1.0","type":"link"}