Modern Times Revised Edition: World from the Twenties to the Nineties, The

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HarperCollins, Aug 7, 2001 - History - 880 pages
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The classic world history of the events, ideas, and personalities of the twentieth century.

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Paul Johnson's history of the 20th century is highly readable, filled with interesting anecdotes and an impressive array of dates, figures, and quotations. He argues compellingly for his point of view, and makes complex situations accessible. But the forcefulness of his style masks serious defects in the integrity of his work. He ignores large parts of the historical narrative, jumps to conclusions, and contemptuously dismisses phenomena that might arouse the curiosity of a more genuine scholar. He never lies, but he never tells the whole truth either. What Paul Johnson has written is a superb political tract from the perspective of a reactionary conservative. Understood for what it is, Modern Times is a highly informative, highly readable guide to a particular view of the 20th century, and I definitely recommend it. But the reader should always be on his guard against Johnson's habit of never telling the whole truth. 

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About the author (2001)

Paul Johnson is a historian whose work ranges over the millennia and the whole gamut of human activities. He regularly writes book reviews for several UK magazines and newspapers, such as the Literary Review and The Spectator, and he lectures around the world. He lives in London, England.

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