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4.27 AVERAGE
4.27 AVERAGE
challenging
hopeful
informative
slow-paced
challenging
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
I found this in equal parts; fascinating, compellingly argued and dull. It was admirably rigorous in not getting carried away with any flights of fancy, that being one of the central themes of the book, (that of past historians having allowed their own fantasies to colour their interpretations). And as a result I found it compellingly cautious. It had no option but to hamstring itself. I found the wide variety of examples of the different political structures throughout history and throughout the world fascinating. As well as the concept of schismogenesis. The book succeeded in changing the way I thought about linear progress. So for that it should get more than the three stars I'm giving it, but ultimately, it was the self-imposed handbrake that made for a pretty dull read.
slow-paced
I so desperately wanted to give this book my coveted 5 star rating! The subject matter is fascinating, deeply profound, and worldview shifting. However... It's nearly unbearable wordy. I found myself going back over paragraphs and summarizing it in my head without losing any key information. If this book had been edited down, maybe removed 20 to 30% of the words, it would be perfect. I want to recommend this book to anyone who will listen, but I feel cruel knowing the slog they'll go through at certain points. Infinitely glad I read it, but the length nearly guarantees that I'll never read it again!
challenging
funny
hopeful
informative
reflective
slow-paced
informative
challenging
informative
reflective
slow-paced
dnf at 27 pc in ca mar-apr 2024 - seemed transparent/well balanced/engaging so far - may pick up again (just got distracted)