A Thread of Years

by John Lukacs

Book Overview

The distinguished historian John Lukacs has been described as "one of the most powerful as well as one of the most learned minds of the] century" by Conor Cruise O'Brien and as "one of the most... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0300071884
• ISBN13: 9780300071887
• Release Date: February 1998
• Publisher: Yale University Press
• Length: 481 Pages
• Weight: 0.30 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.4" x 6.5" x 9.5"

Customer Reviews

Insightful and interesting

The author takes on an interesting challenge: to provide a short scene or story for each year beginning in 1900. After each setting, he has a discussion with his alter ego. The dialogue, especially with his alter ego are the highlight of the book. I would have given this book five stars except for a few weaknesses. The settings are over represented by Philadelphia and Budapest, perhaps using settings the author is most familiar with. The author promised to show the disintigration of culture from 1900 to 1969. I believe he failed to miss the mark. Better that he would have continued through to 2000, and in doing so make the point that corporate power has come full circle in a century. Finally, the disdain the author has for progressive and liberal thinking is abundantly clear, but no justification for this hatred is given.

A rehablitation of American values written by an European

One of the most difficult themes: Americans in Europe, Europe in America. Very daring literary form of "vignettes" and some socratic dialogue. It is a success.Professionally the facts and conslusions are what they should be, the author being a Yale professor.This fro the point of view of an Northern European historian.