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A review by catherinefisher55
Thinking the Twentieth Century by Tony Judt
4.0
Really enjoyed the first third of the book and parts of the last third. Didn't like the middle third.
First third: Judt talks about himself in the context of larger political and social happenings. About being a Jewish Londoner; being a political Zionist as a young man, who grew up to repudiate Zionism. As a young scholar. I like Judt a lot.
Second third: Judt talks about the importance of history and how history should be understood. He lost me in this section. Seems bitter that history has been 'politicized' in the last few decades. As if it's possible for history to be dispassionate and not politicized. I still like Judt- but think he hasn't fully examined his biases here.
Third third: Best part of the last third of the book for me; the last chapter, SOCIAL DEMOCRAT: THE BANALITY OF GOOD, IMO, a great examination of economic history and political systems, especially in the US.
First third: Judt talks about himself in the context of larger political and social happenings. About being a Jewish Londoner; being a political Zionist as a young man, who grew up to repudiate Zionism. As a young scholar. I like Judt a lot.
Second third: Judt talks about the importance of history and how history should be understood. He lost me in this section. Seems bitter that history has been 'politicized' in the last few decades. As if it's possible for history to be dispassionate and not politicized. I still like Judt- but think he hasn't fully examined his biases here.
Third third: Best part of the last third of the book for me; the last chapter, SOCIAL DEMOCRAT: THE BANALITY OF GOOD, IMO, a great examination of economic history and political systems, especially in the US.