About the book
'Magisterial ... Immensely readable' Douglas Alexander, Financial Times
'Insightful, productively provocative and downright brilliant' New York Times
A compelling history of catastrophes and their consequences, from 'the most brilliant British historian of his generation' (The Times)
Disasters are inherently hard to predict. But when catastrophe 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 many developed countries to a new pathogen from China were badly bungled. Why?
While populist rulers certainly performed poorly in the face of the pandemic, Niall Ferguson argues that more profound pathologies were at work - pathologies already visible in our responses to earlier disasters.
Drawing from multiple disciplines, including economics and network science, Doom: The Politics of Catastrophe offers not just a history but a general theory of disaster. As Ferguson shows, governments must learn to become less bureaucratic if we are to avoid the impending doom of irreversible decline.
'Stimulating, thought-provoking ... Readers will find much to relish' Martin Bentham, Evening Standard
Editions of Doom: The Politics of Catastrophe
- Paperback
- ISBN 9780141995557
- EBook
- ISBN 9780141995564
- AudioStreaming
- ISBN 9780241510674
Read an Excerpt
'Magisterial ... Immensely readable' Douglas Alexander, Financial Times
'Insightful, productively provocative and downright brilliant' New York Times
A compelling history of catastrophes and their consequences, from 'the most brilliant British historian of his generation' (The Times)
Disasters are inherently hard to predict. But when catastrophe 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 many developed countries to a new pathogen from China were badly bungled. Why?
While populist rulers certainly performed poorly in the face of the pandemic, Niall Ferguson argues that more profound pathologies were at work - pathologies already visible in our responses to earlier disasters.
Drawing from multiple disciplines, including economics and network science, Doom: The Politics of Catastrophe offers not just a history but a general theory of disaster. As Ferguson shows, governments must learn to become less bureaucratic if we are to avoid the impending doom of irreversible decline.
'Stimulating, thought-provoking ... Readers will find much to relish' Martin Bentham, Evening Standard
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Doom: The Politics of Catastrophe about?
'Magisterial ... Immensely readable' Douglas Alexander, Financial Times
'Insightful, productively provocative and downright brilliant' New York Times
A compelling history of catastrophes and their consequences, from 'the most brilliant British historian of his generation' (The Times)
Disasters are inherently hard to predict. But when catastrophe 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 many developed countries to a new pathogen from China were badly bungled. Why?
While populist rulers certainly performed poorly in the face of the pandemic, Niall Ferguson argues that more profound pathologies were at work - pathologies already visible in our responses to earlier disasters.
Drawing from multiple disciplines, including economics and network science, Doom: The Politics of Catastrophe offers not just a history but a general theory of disaster. As Ferguson shows, governments must learn to become less bureaucratic if we are to avoid the impending doom of irreversible decline.
'Stimulating, thought-provoking ... Readers will find much to relish' Martin Bentham, Evening Standard
What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in Doom: The Politics of Catastrophe?
Society and Social Sciences > Politics and government > Political science and theory
Where can I read a sample of Doom: The Politics of Catastrophe?
You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9780141995557
How long is Doom: The Politics of Catastrophe and how many pages does it have?
Doom: The Politics of Catastrophe has 512 page(s)
Who is/are the Author/s of the book Doom: The Politics of Catastrophe?
Niall Ferguson
What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?
Doom: The Politics of Catastrophe is available as paperback(ISBN 9780141995557) and ebook(ISBN 9780141995564) and audiostreaming(ISBN 9780241510674)
Where can I buy Doom: The Politics of Catastrophe online or support local independent bookshops?
You can buy Doom: The Politics of Catastrophe from below
Where can I buy Doom: The Politics of Catastrophe?