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The End of Everything: How Wars Descend into Annihilation Hardcover – May 7, 2024

by Victor Davis Hanson (Author)
4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 1,311 ratings
#1 Best Seller in Native American History
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Instant New York Times Bestseller 

In this “gripping account of catastrophic defeat” (Barry Strauss), a New York Times–bestselling historian charts how and why some societies chose to utterly destroy their foes, and warns that similar wars of obliteration are possible in our time

“In The End of Everything, Hanson tells compelling and harrowing stories of how civilizations perished. He helps us consider contemporary affairs in light of that history, think about the unthinkable, and recognize the urgency of trying to prevent our own demise.” — H. R. McMaster, author of Battlegrounds

War can settle disputes, topple tyrants, and bend the trajectory of civilization—sometimes to the breaking point. From Troy to Hiroshima, moments when war has ended in utter annihilation have reverberated through the centuries, signaling the end of political systems, cultures, and epochs. Though much has changed over the millennia, human nature remains the same. Modern societies are not immune from the horror of a war of extinction. 
 
In The End of Everything, military historian Victor Davis Hanson narrates a series of sieges and sackings that span the age of antiquity to the conquest of the New World to show how societies descend into barbarism and obliteration. In the stories of Thebes, Carthage, Constantinople, and Tenochtitlan, he depicts war’s drama, violence, and folly. Highlighting the naivete that plagued the vanquished and the wrath that justified mass slaughter, Hanson delivers a sobering call to contemporary readers to heed the lessons of obliteration lest we blunder into catastrophe once again. 
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  1. Print length
    352 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Basic Books
  4. Publication date
    May 7, 2024
  5. Dimensions
    6.4 x 1.19 x 9.95 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    1541673522
  7. ISBN-13
    978-1541673526
  8. See all details
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  1. Popular highlight

    The gullibility, and indeed ignorance, of contemporary governments and leaders about the intent, hatred, ruthlessness, and capability of their enemies are not surprising. The retreat to comfortable nonchalance and credulousness, often the cargo of affluence and leisure, is predictable given unchanging human nature, despite the pretensions of a postmodern technologically advanced global village.
    179 Kindle readers highlighted this

  2. Popular highlight

    The case studies here—the leveling of Thebes by Alexander the Great, the erasure of Carthage by Scipio Aemilianus, Sultan Mehmet II’s conquest and transformation of Constantinople, and the obliteration of Tenochtitlán by Hernán Cortés—all marked the end of cultures and civilizations.
    151 Kindle readers highlighted this

  3. Popular highlight

    Or, as this book argues, when a state’s government disappears, its infrastructure is leveled, most of its people killed, enslaved, or scattered, its culture fragmented and soon forgotten, and its space abandoned or given over to another and quite different people.
    149 Kindle readers highlighted this
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From the Publisher

From the bestselling author of THE DYING CITIZEN and THE CASE FOR TRUMP
THE END OF EVERYTHING is an instant New York Times bestseller

Blurb from the Wall Street Journal for The End of Everything

Blurb from H.R. McMaster for The End of Everything

Blurb from Barry Strauss for The End of Everything

Trump Hanson Hanson
The Case for Trump The Dying Citizen The Second World Wars
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4.3 out of 5 stars
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Explore the Works of Victor D. Hanson A New York Times bestseller and “a brilliant and bracing analysis” (Mark R. Levin) of Donald Trump, his presidency, and his vision of America’s future—now updated for 2024 A New York Times bestseller, “The Dying Citizen is essential reading for any American who cares about the fate of our nation” (Mark R. Levin) A "breathtakingly magisterial" account of World War II by America's preeminent military historian (Wall Street Journal)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Relevant to the modern world by combining granularity with big-picture analysis and teasing out meaning from a mastery of details... [A] profound book."―Wall Street Journal

“Magisterial accounts of four cataclysmic case studies make this a must for anyone with an interest in ancient and premodern history...Hanson writes elegantly and uses an impressive range of documentation, both ancient and contemporary, with due consideration given to different perspectives.”―Irish Times

“This stupendous book offers a gripping account of catastrophic defeat. Outstanding military historian Victor Davis Hanson takes us through four wars, each of which not only crushed an enemy but destroyed a civilization. Are we doomed to go the way of Thebes, Carthage, the Byzantines, or the Aztecs? To understand the challenges we face, you must read The End of Everything.”―Barry Strauss, author of The War that Made the Roman Empire

“What a paragon and a powerhouse is Hanson! The hymnal tells us of the fate of ‘Earth’s proud empires’ and the poet reminds us of what will happen to ‘our pomp of yesterday,’ yet it takes an historian of Hanson’s intellectual caliber to explain how and why civilizations are annihilated in war, with example after well-researched and cogently written example. As well as Hanson the historian, however, here too is Hanson the philosopher, with his insightful take on how human nature has failed to adapt to our ultra-technological age. Readers will be shocked quite how often total military, cultural, and societal extirpation happens in in our species’ story. We need to learn from this groundbreaking book how to stop it happening to us.”―Andrew Roberts, author of Churchill

“In recent years, we have witnessed man’s inhumanity toward man that many thought had been consigned to the distant past. In The End of Everything, Hanson tells compelling and harrowing stories of how civilizations perished. He helps us consider contemporary affairs in light of that history, think about the unthinkable, and recognize the urgency of trying to prevent our own demise.”―H. R. McMaster, author of Battlegrounds

About the Author

Victor Davis Hanson is a senior fellow in military history at the Hoover Institution at Stanford University and a professor emeritus of classics at California State University, Fresno. He is the author of over two dozen books, including A War Like No Other, The Second World Wars, and The Dying Citizen. He lives in Selma, California. 

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Basic Books (May 7, 2024)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 352 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1541673522
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1541673526
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.22 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.4 x 1.19 x 9.95 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 1,311 ratings

About the author

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Victor Davis Hanson

Victor Davis Hanson

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Victor Davis Hanson is a senior fellow in military history and classics at the Hoover Institution at Stanford University and a professor emeritus of classics at California State University, Fresno. He is the author of over two dozen books, including The Second World Wars, The Dying Citizen, and The End of Everything. He lives in Selma, California.

Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
1,311 global ratings

Customers say

Customers find the subject matter very knowledgeable and demanding of attention. They also appreciate the well-researched, in-depth analysis that adds disturbing background to the great extinctions of the ancient world. Readers describe the book as an excellent, straight-forward read that's well-sourced.

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ReadabilitySubject matterAnalysis
94 customers mention "Readability"83 positive11 negative

Customers find the book well-written, detailed, and understandable. They also say it's highly educational and never dumbed down.

"...to enhance the experience, but as said, even if I not, this is very straight forward and comprehensible...." Read more

"...They’re highly educational, very understandable, but never dumbed down - All of his books are backed with high quality documented proof and you..." Read more

"...Well written, although somewhat repetitive, and very detailed. The discussion of mesoamerica and the Spanish is particularly worthwhile...." Read more

"...I can see that this will be a very interesting, informative, & enjoyable read...." Read more

58 customers mention "Subject matter"58 positive0 negative

Customers find the subject matter fascinating, well written, and demanding of attention. They also say the author is very knowledgeable on history and political events.

"...this book very long but am about 3/4's of the way through and find it fascinating...." Read more

"I have never regretted reading a book written by VDH. They’re highly educational, very understandable, but never dumbed down - All of his books are..." Read more

"An interesting historical perspective regarding the fact that nothing political or social is guaranteed forever...." Read more

"...As always, Mr. Hanson has done an excellent job in presenting the historical facts about what he is writing, & how they should be a wakeup call to..." Read more

32 customers mention "Analysis"29 positive3 negative

Customers find the book well researched, detailed, and informative. They also say it adds in depth background to the great extinctions of the ancient world. Readers also mention that the appeal is very clear.

"...The detail is incredible, and when considering the commentary and asides the scope is awesome and every page is captivating, a must read, no doubt." Read more

"...Well written, although somewhat repetitive, and very detailed. The discussion of mesoamerica and the Spanish is particularly worthwhile...." Read more

"...His writing is always readable and almost conversational. This book is disturbing in that it carries a clear warning to Americans." Read more

"...The appeal is very clear. The evil thoughts of our hearts and resulting savagery that is in our history are not an anachronism...." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

King Tut
5.0 out of 5 stars VDH is a Towering Intellect, yet speaks clearly to the common man, and does so vibrantly!
Reviewed in the United States on June 10, 2024
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I've not had this book very long but am about 3/4's of the way through and find it fascinating. I've previously read some of the history he covers in the book, which serves to enhance the experience, but as said, even if I not, this is very straight forward and comprehensible. It's a history lesson of sorts, with a focus well to be heeded by those living in the 21st century. The detail is incredible, and when considering the commentary and asides the scope is awesome and every page is captivating, a must read, no doubt.
17 people found this helpful
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J&K
5.0 out of 5 stars Great powers falter when they loose objectivity
Reviewed in the United States on July 28, 2024
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I have never regretted reading a book written by VDH. They’re highly educational, very understandable, but never dumbed down - All of his books are backed with high quality documented proof and you live the experience as you read. Here in the USA most citizens live in a bubble with the mentality that it happens to others but it won’t/can’t happen here. Hanson will open your eyes though. He doesn’t want to frighten but offers a stern warning based in human behavior and history. VDH genuinely cares for this country and wants us all to be concerned for good reasons. Read this book and another VDH book, The Dying Citizen. Both are sobering and time very well spent.
10 people found this helpful
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parker
4.0 out of 5 stars Nothing Is Forever
Reviewed in the United States on June 13, 2024
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An interesting historical perspective regarding the fact that nothing political or social is guaranteed forever. Thebes, Carthage, Constantinople, and Tenochtitlan (Mexico City) were the centers of their respective empires which had lasted for centuries prior to their social and in some cases physical destruction. The obvious implication is that there is no guarantee that the US, or any other current power or "civilization", is unassailable and necessarily permanent. Well written, although somewhat repetitive, and very detailed. The discussion of mesoamerica and the Spanish is particularly worthwhile. Worth the read.
14 people found this helpful
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Gene S.
5.0 out of 5 stars Very informative & well researched as always.
Reviewed in the United States on June 7, 2024
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I have only just started reading this book, so l am only about 35 or so pages into it. But already I can see that this will be a very interesting, informative, & enjoyable read. As always, Mr. Hanson has done an excellent job in presenting the historical facts about what he is writing, & how they should be a wakeup call to all of us in the 21st Century. If you enjoy this type of factual, historical book, you can't go wrong with "The End Of Everything ".
15 people found this helpful
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Rafles
5.0 out of 5 stars Information
Reviewed in the United States on August 9, 2024
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Written well and pertinent
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Mary G.
5.0 out of 5 stars Victor Davis Hanson is Gifted
Reviewed in the United States on July 18, 2024
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Like a true academic, Hanson’s writes factual, unemotional and concise sociological and political non.fiction. This book is historical in nature, but relates directly to current events affecting USA. His writing is always readable and almost conversational. This book is disturbing in that it carries a clear warning to Americans.
12 people found this helpful
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Dazed & Confused
5.0 out of 5 stars Thank you RDH
Reviewed in the United States on July 23, 2024
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Excellent deep dive into the history of these epic wars. A unique opportunity to learn more. Well researched and written.
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Patrick J Owens
5.0 out of 5 stars An Excellent Read
Reviewed in the United States on July 11, 2024
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Hanson has been a favorite historian of mine for years. This new installment amongst his list of works is another insightful and deeply descriptive charting of history. Hanson has a passion for the job, which is evident on every page.
4 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

PV
5.0 out of 5 stars How an Empire could collapse without any early sign.
Reviewed in Canada on August 1, 2024
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VDH exposes the study cases of 5 absolute Empires that were destroyed to oblivion. They all believe to be eternal and then in a blink of an eye they simply disappeared. Great analysis.
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Bruno Leal Rodrigues
5.0 out of 5 stars Another great book!
Reviewed in Brazil on July 29, 2024
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VDH provides another solid analysis of human mind and warfare! One of the greatest scholars of our time. An informative and entertaining book!
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David K.
5.0 out of 5 stars N/A
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 18, 2024
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Claude Medeot
5.0 out of 5 stars V.D.Hanson The End of Everything
Reviewed in Sweden on June 11, 2024
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Excellent Book by Victor Davis Hanson. I've read ancient history as a young man and know the topics that are covered here but the analysis of those known facts viewed here is different because they are put into a formidable other perception; gives more depth to understanding.
It's very probable that we would never have come to view things in such a novel fashion as is presented and exposed in this book.
Such writings bring much enjoyment to re-reading history.
Bravo Mr. Hanson
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janekg
5.0 out of 5 stars Worth Reading
Reviewed in Australia on July 29, 2024
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The author excels yet again, very well written, researched and thought provoking.
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