The End of the Twentieth Century and the End of the Modern Age [Hardcover]

John Lukacs (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 9, 1993

In a critical analysis of twentieth-century history, a distinguished historian argues that the great watershed events of the century have been the world wars and that, with the end of the modern era, the world faces a troubled time. 15,000 first printing.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

While "the twentieth century was the American Century," distinguished historian Lukacs contends that the 21st century is not likely to be dominated by U.S. interests. From his perspective, the end of the modern age is at hand, as superpower politics gives way to resurgent nationalism and the authority of centralized goverments declines. In these brilliant, often unorthodox historical reflections, Lukacs assesses the overwhelming impact of Hitler and two world wars on our century. He asserts that the Cold War began winding down in 1956, and that it was the result of a reciprocal misunderstanding between the U.S. and U.S.S.R. In both East and West, he finds overextended, heavily bureaucratized regimes vacillating atop societies whose social mortar--civility, morals, common sense, law--is crumbling. Lukacs joins these musings with personal impressions of a visit to Hitler's birthplace, a 1990 White House dinner and his recent bittersweet return trips to his native Hungary, which he fled in 1946.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

Lukacs begins these highly personal reflections on current history by stating, "the main political force in the twentieth century has been nationalism, not Communism." Hitler, not Lenin or Mao, is the great revolutionary of the century, he argues; Western liberalism's enemies borrowed from the Fuhrer their reliance on a radical and exclusionist nationalism. Populist nationalism remains a potent mixture, especially in Eastern Europe, where it "is the only religion that still possesses a functional rhetoric." Part history, part memoir, this book, parts of which appeared in Harper's , will appeal to general reader and scholar alike. Those who have read other works by Ingersoll Prize-winner Lukacs (most recently, The Duel , Ticknor & Fields, 1991) will not be disappointed; a catholic reading of history leads to piquant and highly original observations on many topics of current concern. More modest in aim than Francis Fukuyama's The End of History and the Last Man ( LJ 1/92), Lukacs's book is also more solid.
- David Keymer, California State Univ., Stanislaus
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 291 pages
• Publisher: Ticknor & Fields; First Printing edition (February 9, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0395584728
• ISBN-13: 978-0395584729
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.8 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #320,197 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It Ain't Over 'til It's Over, March 11, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: The End of the Twentieth Century and the End of the Modern Age (Hardcover)

John Lukacs's book deserves a new look in the post-September 11 world. Written in response to Francis Fukayama's well-intentioned but misguided book on "The End of History" (a thesis that Fukayama was forced to revise recently), Lukacs shows that history, and human nature, are both alive and well. Written in a lively, readable style that is capable of true eloquence, this book dismisses the neo-Hegelian thesis that the triumph of democracy is inevitable.

Instead, Lukacs points to the long experience, in Europe and elsewhere, of war, evil and the continued power of cultural and moral factors in driving human behavior. By reminding us of these truths, Lukacs demonstrates that history can not only revive the past, but enlighten the present. Particularly impressive is his emphasis on character, and the power of individuals to change history, in decisive ways, at critical moments. Great men -- Churchill in particular -- are given their just due, and determinists, economic or otherwise, are given short shrift.

My only criticism of the book is Lukacs's sharp and unwarranted criticism of Ronald Reagan, whose boldness and persistence are dismissed with the usual stereotyped remarks about his lack of energy, intelligence and education. Lukacs overlooks the fact that Gorbachev, who gets the lion share's of the praise for the end of the Cold War, merely bowed to the superior force of the United States, which was marshalled with great skill by Reagan and his national defense team, particularly Caspar Weinberger and CIA Director William Casey. To paraphrase Mae West, Gorby's goodness had nothing to do with it.

Despite this defect, however, Lukacs's book, while nearly ten years old, has aged well. I recommend it highly, especially for those seeking understanding and perspective on the fate and future of the West in this hostile and unstable world.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An unconventional vision into the future, June 27, 2000

By 

Mark Cook (United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The End of the Twentieth Century and the End of the Modern Age (Hardcover)

People who don't like this book have a fundamental misunderstanding of Lukacs' perspective and, I would bet, have not read his previous book of essays on this same topic "The Passing of the Modern Age." Lukacs is not a "conservative". He is a self-proclaimed "reactionary". His ideas, generally don't fall within the typecast categories of "liberal" or "conservative". Readers who appreciate clearly thought out and well written observations into the events of the last century and possible senarios in the future will greatly enjoy reading one of the more original thinkers of our time.

5.0 out of 5 stars COMBINE THIS as a companion volume with GEORGE FROST KENNAN., February 8, 2011

By 

DAVID PHILLIPS "gogosian2010" (Parowan, UT U.S.A.) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The End of the Twentieth Century and the End of the Modern Age (Hardcover)

KENNAN quotes LUKACS on page 7 with a footnote to this Lukacs tome in "At a Century's Ending: Reflections, 1982-1995" [c. 1996].