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How the West's six 'killer apps' transformed the history of the world.

In 1412, Europe was a miserable backwater ravaged by plague, bad sanitation and incessant war, while the Orient was home to dazzling civilizations. Yet, somehow, the West came to dominate the Rest for most of the next half millennium.

In this vital, brilliant book, Niall Ferguson reveals the six 'killer applications' that the Rest lacked: competition, science, property rights, medicine, consumerism and the work ethic. And he asks: do we still have these winning tools? Or is this the end of Western ascendancy?

Winner of the Estoril Global Issues Distinguished Book Prize 2013

Reviews

“ Brilliantly written, full of wit and virtuosity, stuffed with memorable lines and gorgeous bits of information. A great read ”

The Times

“ A dazzling history of Western ideas . . . epic ”

Economist

“ Vivid and fascinating ”

DailyTelegraph

“ Superb . . . brings history alive . . . dazzling ”

Independent

“ This is sharp. It feels urgent. Ferguson . . . twists his knife with great literary brio ”

Andrew Marr, Financial Times

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Formats & editions

  • Paperback

    9780141987934

    June 18, 2018

    Penguin Press

    RRP $24.99

    Online retailers

    • Abbey's Bookshop
    • Amazon
    • Angus & Robertson Bookworld
    • Booktopia
    • Boomerang Books
    • Collins Booksellers
    • Dymocks
    • Books Kinokuniya
    • The Nile
    • QBD
    • Readings
    • Robinsons Bookshop
    Or

    Find your local bookstore at booksellers.org.au

  • Paperback

    9780141044583

    June 5, 2012

    Penguin Press

    402 pages

    RRP $27.99

    Online retailers

    • Abbey's Bookshop
    • Amazon
    • Angus & Robertson Bookworld
    • Booktopia
    • Boomerang Books
    • Collins Booksellers
    • Dymocks
    • Books Kinokuniya
    • The Nile
    • QBD
    • Readings
    • Robinsons Bookshop
    Or

    Find your local bookstore at booksellers.org.au

Also by Niall Ferguson

The Square And The Tower
The Square and the Tower: Networks, Hierarchies and the Struggle for Global Power
The Ascent Of Money
Kissinger
The Middle Parts Of Fortune
The Great Degeneration
The Ascent of Money: A Financial History of the World
High Financier
Virtual History
Empire: How Britain Made the Modern World: Popular Penguins
The War Of The World
Colossus
Empire
The House Of Rothschild
The Pity Of War
See all

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