American Decline Is a Choice. Let's Not Choose It.

In 'Doom: The Politics of Catastrophe', Niall Ferguson delves into the global history of disasters, analyzing why humanity consistently fails to prepare for catastrophes. The book covers a wide range of disasters, from pandemics and earthquakes to financial crises and wars, and argues that many disasters have man-made components. Ferguson critiques the responses of developed countries to the COVID-19 pandemic and highlights the role of bureaucratic failures and complex systems in exacerbating disasters. The book draws on various fields such as economics, epidemiology, and network science to offer a general theory of disasters and suggests ways to improve future responses to crises.

This book is a detailed account of the events leading up to World War II, written from Churchill's personal perspective. It includes the aftermath of World War I, the Treaty of Versailles, the rise of Nazi Germany under Adolf Hitler, and the British response to these developments. Churchill incorporates primary source materials such as memos, letters, orders, speeches, and telegrams to provide a comprehensive and engaging narrative. The book ends with Germany's invasion of Norway and the beginning of its invasion of France, marking the transition of Churchill from the opposition to becoming Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.

In 'The Ascent of Money', Niall Ferguson explores the human story behind the evolution of finance, from the origins of money in ancient Mesopotamia to the latest financial upheavals. Ferguson argues that finance is the foundation of human progress and reveals financial history as the essential backstory behind all history. The book covers key financial institutions and concepts, such as the invention of banking, the development of bonds and stock markets, and the role of insurance and real estate. It also delves into the impact of financial systems on historical events and the recurring theme that every financial bubble eventually bursts.