Ever wondered how a group of bickering nation-states in Western Europe rose to dominate the world? Niall Ferguson has a surprisingly modern answer for you: there's an app for that. Six, to be precise. In his 11th book, Ferguson (Empire, Colossus, High Financier) explains how six "killer apps" have enabled the West to dominate "the Rest" for 500 years--and how the Rest may be catching up after finally "downloading" them.
Ferguson gives readers a sweeping yet surprisingly detailed refresher course on the rise of the West, weighing the contributions of each "killer app": competition; science; the rule of law (and property rights); modern medicine; the culture of consumption; and the Protestant work ethic. He explores the contrasting leadership styles of Western countries, comparing the effects of British and French colonialism in Africa, wondering what would have happened if the Spanish had landed at Plymouth Rock and the British had dominated the Incas and Aztecs. His arguments cast a wide net, touching on topics from isolationism in the Ming dynasty to the present worldwide popularity of McDonald's and blue jeans.
Readers may argue with Ferguson's assertion that the West is past its peak, or take issue with his amoral analytic approach to colonialism, labor issues and recent economic policies. But this cogent, often witty book provides a wealth of information to discuss and will certainly achieve its main aim: sparking conversation. How many parents and teachers--and historians--wish there was an app for that? --Katie Noah Gibson, blogger at Cakes, Tea and Dreams