Neil Oliver: "We Must Learn the Lessons of History"

This book is Neil Oliver's personal tribute to the British Isles, exploring its rich history through 100 places that have shaped its story. From ancient footprints to modern landmarks, Oliver takes readers on a journey through time, highlighting the islands' diverse landscapes and historical events. The narrative spans from prehistoric times to the present day, covering major historical periods and figures.

The Gulag Archipelago is a three-volume series written by Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn, exploring the Soviet labour camp system through a mix of historical narrative, personal accounts, and literary investigation. The book traces the history of the Gulag from Vladimir Lenin's decrees to the era of Nikita Khrushchev, detailing the arrest, conviction, transport, and imprisonment of prisoners. It includes Solzhenitsyn's own experiences as a Gulag prisoner and accounts from other inmates, highlighting the brutal conditions, forced labor, and the psychological and physical suffering of the prisoners. The work is a testament to the human spirit's struggle against evil and serves as a comprehensive critique of the Soviet regime's use of terror against its population.

In this book, Niall Ferguson argues that Western civilization's rise to global dominance was driven by six powerful new concepts, or 'killer applications,' that emerged in the fifteenth century. These include competition, science, the rule of law, modern medicine, consumerism, and the work ethic. Ferguson explains how these factors allowed the West to surge past its Eastern rivals and dominate the world for the past five centuries. However, he also discusses how the Rest have now adopted these 'killer apps,' while the West has lost faith in itself. The book chronicles the rise and fall of empires and the clashes and fusions of civilizations, offering a bold and insightful recasting of world history.

This book surveys the history of humankind from the Stone Age to the 21st century, focusing on Homo sapiens. It divides human history into four major parts: the Cognitive Revolution, the Agricultural Revolution, the Unification of Humankind, and the Scientific Revolution. Harari argues that Homo sapiens dominate the world due to their unique ability to cooperate in large numbers through beliefs in imagined realities such as gods, nations, money, and human rights. The book also examines the impact of human activities on the global ecosystem and speculates on the future of humanity, including the potential for genetic engineering and non-organic life.