Niall Ferguson’s Civilization: The West and the Rest

“The success of a civilization is measured not just in its aesthetic achievements but also, and surely more importantly, in the duration and quality of life of its citizens.”

This book is a super interesting look at civilizations throughout history and what has led to the successes and failures of society. It is filled with facts and stories about why the West has historically been the model civilization, but how China is rapidly catching up. One of the most interesting parts to me was when Ferguson wrote about Andes Quechua dress and how it is actually dress that was forced on women of the Andes by the Spanish. I love learning more about the culture that surrounds me every day, and this book was filled with information that I never knew before.