Listen free for 30 days
-
The End of History and the Last Man
- Narrated by: L. J. Ganser
- Length: 15 hrs and 51 mins
- Categories: History, World
People who bought this also bought...
-
Identity
- The Demand for Dignity and the Politics of Resentment
- By: Francis Fukuyama
- Narrated by: P. J. Ochlan
- Length: 6 hrs and 35 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In 2014, Francis Fukuyama wrote that American institutions were in decay, as the state was progressively captured by powerful interest groups. Two years later, his predictions were borne out by the rise to power of a series of political outsiders whose economic nationalism and authoritarian tendencies threatened to destabilize the entire international order. These populist nationalists seek direct charismatic connection to “the people”, who are usually defined in narrow identity terms that offer an irresistible call to an in-group and exclude large parts of the population as a whole.
-
-
Is so bad that it does not allow the content work
- By AGGELOS IOAKIMIDES on 31-03-19
-
The Origins of Political Order: From Prehuman Times to the French Revolution
- By: Francis Fukuyama
- Narrated by: Jonathan Davis
- Length: 22 hrs and 34 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Virtually all human societies were once organized tribally, yet over time most developed new political institutions which included a central state that could keep the peace and uniform laws that applied to all citizens. Some went on to create governments that were accountable to their constituents. We take these institutions for granted, but they are absent or are unable to perform in many of today’s developing countries—with often disastrous consequences for the rest of the world.
-
-
Best explanation of pre-modern Humanity
- By Alex on 14-12-16
-
The Clash of Civilizations?
- By: Samuel P. Huntington
- Narrated by: Kevin Stillwell
- Length: 1 hr and 16 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
World politics is entering a new phase, in which the great divisions among humankind and the dominating source of international conflict will be cultural.
-
-
Excellent analysis and well narrated.
- By Mr on 09-03-17
-
The Open Society and Its Enemies
- New One-Volume Edition
- By: Karl Popper
- Narrated by: Liam Gerrard
- Length: 23 hrs and 17 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
An immediate sensation when it was first published in two volumes in 1945, Popper's monumental achievement has attained legendary status on both the Left and Right and is credited with inspiring anticommunist dissidents during the Cold War. Arguing that the spirit of free, critical inquiry that governs scientific investigation should also apply to politics, Popper traces the roots of an opposite, authoritarian tendency to a tradition represented by Plato, Marx, and Hegel.
-
-
Enlightening
- By Mr GS McCreadie on 23-06-20
-
The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism
- By: Max Weber
- Narrated by: Monroe Clark McBride
- Length: 5 hrs and 17 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Max Weber's best-known and most controversial work, The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism, first published in 1904, remains to this day powerful and fascinating. Weber's highly accessible style is just one of many reasons for his continuing popularity. The book contends that the Protestant ethic made possible and encouraged the development of capitalism in the West.
-
-
This is an academic essay
- By Bluesview on 22-05-18
-
Twilight of Democracy
- The Failure of Politics and the Parting of Friends
- By: Anne Applebaum
- Narrated by: Anne Applebaum
- Length: 5 hrs and 15 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In the years just before and after the fall of the Berlin Wall, conservative politicians and intellectuals across Europe and America celebrated a great achievement, felt a common purpose and, very often, forged personal friendships. The euphoria quickly evaporated, the common purpose and centre ground gradually disappeared and eventually - as this book compellingly relates - the relationships soured too. Anne Applebaum traces a familiar history in an unfamiliar way, looking at the trajectories of individuals caught up in the public events of the last three decades.
-
-
Brief but poignant warning about the forces of illiberalism.
- By John Pope on 29-08-20
-
Identity
- The Demand for Dignity and the Politics of Resentment
- By: Francis Fukuyama
- Narrated by: P. J. Ochlan
- Length: 6 hrs and 35 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In 2014, Francis Fukuyama wrote that American institutions were in decay, as the state was progressively captured by powerful interest groups. Two years later, his predictions were borne out by the rise to power of a series of political outsiders whose economic nationalism and authoritarian tendencies threatened to destabilize the entire international order. These populist nationalists seek direct charismatic connection to “the people”, who are usually defined in narrow identity terms that offer an irresistible call to an in-group and exclude large parts of the population as a whole.
-
-
Is so bad that it does not allow the content work
- By AGGELOS IOAKIMIDES on 31-03-19
-
The Origins of Political Order: From Prehuman Times to the French Revolution
- By: Francis Fukuyama
- Narrated by: Jonathan Davis
- Length: 22 hrs and 34 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Virtually all human societies were once organized tribally, yet over time most developed new political institutions which included a central state that could keep the peace and uniform laws that applied to all citizens. Some went on to create governments that were accountable to their constituents. We take these institutions for granted, but they are absent or are unable to perform in many of today’s developing countries—with often disastrous consequences for the rest of the world.
-
-
Best explanation of pre-modern Humanity
- By Alex on 14-12-16
-
The Clash of Civilizations?
- By: Samuel P. Huntington
- Narrated by: Kevin Stillwell
- Length: 1 hr and 16 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
World politics is entering a new phase, in which the great divisions among humankind and the dominating source of international conflict will be cultural.
-
-
Excellent analysis and well narrated.
- By Mr on 09-03-17
-
The Open Society and Its Enemies
- New One-Volume Edition
- By: Karl Popper
- Narrated by: Liam Gerrard
- Length: 23 hrs and 17 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
An immediate sensation when it was first published in two volumes in 1945, Popper's monumental achievement has attained legendary status on both the Left and Right and is credited with inspiring anticommunist dissidents during the Cold War. Arguing that the spirit of free, critical inquiry that governs scientific investigation should also apply to politics, Popper traces the roots of an opposite, authoritarian tendency to a tradition represented by Plato, Marx, and Hegel.
-
-
Enlightening
- By Mr GS McCreadie on 23-06-20
-
The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism
- By: Max Weber
- Narrated by: Monroe Clark McBride
- Length: 5 hrs and 17 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Max Weber's best-known and most controversial work, The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism, first published in 1904, remains to this day powerful and fascinating. Weber's highly accessible style is just one of many reasons for his continuing popularity. The book contends that the Protestant ethic made possible and encouraged the development of capitalism in the West.
-
-
This is an academic essay
- By Bluesview on 22-05-18
-
Twilight of Democracy
- The Failure of Politics and the Parting of Friends
- By: Anne Applebaum
- Narrated by: Anne Applebaum
- Length: 5 hrs and 15 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In the years just before and after the fall of the Berlin Wall, conservative politicians and intellectuals across Europe and America celebrated a great achievement, felt a common purpose and, very often, forged personal friendships. The euphoria quickly evaporated, the common purpose and centre ground gradually disappeared and eventually - as this book compellingly relates - the relationships soured too. Anne Applebaum traces a familiar history in an unfamiliar way, looking at the trajectories of individuals caught up in the public events of the last three decades.
-
-
Brief but poignant warning about the forces of illiberalism.
- By John Pope on 29-08-20
-
This Sovereign Isle
- Britain in and out of Europe
- By: Robert Tombs
- Narrated by: Mark Elstob
- Length: 5 hrs and 34 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Geography comes before history. Islands cannot have the same history as continental plains. The United Kingdom is a European country, but not the same kind of European country as Germany, Poland or Hungary. For most of the 150 centuries during which Britain has been inhabited it has been on the edge, culturally and literally, of mainland Europe.
-
-
Retired historian's musings on Brexit
- By papapownall on 31-01-21
-
The Origins of Totalitarianism
- By: Hannah Arendt
- Narrated by: Nadia May
- Length: 23 hrs and 23 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
This classic, definitive account of totalitarianism traces the emergence of modern racism as an "ideological weapon for imperialism", beginning with the rise of anti-Semitism in Europe in the 19th century and continuing through the New Imperialism period from 1884 to World War I.
-
-
A must read, for people interested in history.
- By Terje on 13-05-14
-
Why We're Polarized
- By: Ezra Klein
- Narrated by: Ezra Klein
- Length: 8 hrs and 32 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In Why We're Polarised, Klein reveals the structural and psychological forces behind America's descent into division and dysfunction. Neither a polemic nor a lament, this book offers a clear framework for understanding everything from Trump's rise to the Democratic Party's leftward shift to the politicisation of everyday culture. America is polarised, first and foremost, by identity. Everyone engaged in American politics is engaged, at some level, in identity politics.
-
-
A great guide to modern politics
- By Jake carbone on 25-04-20
-
World Order
- Reflections on the Character of Nations and the Course of History
- By: Henry Kissinger
- Narrated by: Nicholas Hormann
- Length: 14 hrs and 9 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Penguin presents the unabridged, downloadable audiobook edition of World Order by Henry Kissinger, read by Nicholas Hormann. World Order is the summation of Henry Kissinger's thinking about history, strategy and statecraft. As if taking a perspective from far above the globe, it examines the great tectonic plates of history and the motivations of nations, explaining the attitudes that states and empires have taken to the rest of the world from the formation of Europe to our own times.
-
-
cringy
- By julien on 18-01-18
-
A Short History of Modern Philosophy
- From Descartes to Wittgenstein
- By: Roger Scruton
- Narrated by: Toby Longworth
- Length: 10 hrs and 30 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Discover for yourself the pleasures of philosophy! Written both for the seasoned student of philosophy as well as the general listener, renowned writer Roger Scruton provides a survey of modern philosophy. Always engaging, the author takes us on a fascinating tour of the subject, from founding father Descartes to the most important and famous philosopher of the 20th century, Ludwig Wittgenstein. He identifies all the principal figures as well as outlines of the main intellectual preoccupations that have informed Western philosophy.
-
-
Good author, terrible reader
- By Martin Pender on 28-02-21
-
Phenomenology of Spirit
- By: G. W. F. Hegel, A. V. Miller (translator), J. N. Findlay
- Narrated by: David DeVries
- Length: 29 hrs and 38 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Perhaps one of the most revolutionary works of philosophy ever presented, The Phenomenology of Spirit is Hegel's 1807 work that is in numerous ways extraordinary. A myriad of topics are discussed, and explained in such a harmoniously complex way that the method has been termed Hegelian dialectic. Ultimately, the work as a whole is a remarkable study of the mind's growth from its direct awareness to scientific philosophy, proving to be a difficult yet highly influential and enduring work.
-
National Populism
- The Revolt Against Liberal Democracy (A Pelican Book)
- By: Matthew Goodwin, Roger Eatwell
- Narrated by: Matthew Goodwin
- Length: 8 hrs and 5 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Across the West, there is a rising tide of people who feel excluded, alienated from mainstream politics and increasingly hostile towards minorities, immigrants and neoliberal economics. Many of these voters are turning to national populist movements, which have begun to change the face of Western liberal democracy, from the United States to France, Austria to the UK. This radical turn, we are told, is a last howl of rage from an aging electorate on the verge of extinction.
-
-
Don't shoot the messenger. We need to listen.
- By Attlee2010 on 31-12-19
-
Anarchy, State, and Utopia
- By: Robert Nozick
- Narrated by: Kevin Stillwell
- Length: 14 hrs and 54 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In this brilliant and widely acclaimed book, winner of the 1975 National Book Award, Robert Nozick challenges the most commonly held political and social positions of our age - liberal, socialist, and conservative.
-
-
Very interesting but totally wrongheaded
- By J on 03-01-21
-
Apollo's Arrow
- The Profound and Enduring Impact of Coronavirus on the Way We Live
- By: Nicholas A. Christakis MD PhD
- Narrated by: Nicholas A. Christakis MD PhD
- Length: 12 hrs and 10 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Apollo's Arrow offers a riveting account of the impact of the coronavirus pandemic as it swept through American society in 2020 and of how the recovery will unfold in the coming years. Drawing on momentous (yet dimly remembered) historical epidemics, contemporary analyses, and cutting-edge research from a range of scientific disciplines, Nicholas A. Christakis explores what it means to live in a time of plague - an experience that is paradoxically uncommon to the vast majority of humans who are alive yet deeply fundamental to our species.
-
-
Good book
- By Anonymous User on 30-01-21
-
The Tragedy of Great Power Politics
- By: John J. Mearsheimer
- Narrated by: Mark Ashby
- Length: 16 hrs and 14 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
A decade after the cold war ended, policy makers and academics foresaw a new era of peace and prosperity, an era in which democracy and open trade would herald the "end of history." The terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, sadly shattered these idyllic illusions, and John Mearsheimer's masterful new book explains why these harmonious visions remain utopian.
-
-
The best modern explanation of Real Politik
- By Adrian J. Smith on 19-06-19
-
The Human Condition (Second Edition)
- By: Hannah Arendt
- Narrated by: Elizabeth Wiley
- Length: 15 hrs and 42 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
A work of striking originality, The Human Condition is in many respects more relevant now than when it first appeared in 1958. In her study of the state of modern humanity, Hannah Arendt considers humankind from the perspective of the actions of which it is capable. The problems Arendt identified then - diminishing human agency and political freedom, the paradox that as human powers increase through technological and humanistic inquiry, we are less equipped to control the consequences of our actions - continue to confront us today.
-
Arguing with Zombies
- Economics, Politics, and the Fight for a Better Future
- By: Paul Krugman
- Narrated by: Rob Shapiro, Paul Krugman
- Length: 12 hrs and 15 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
There is no better guide than Paul Krugman to basic economics, the ideas that animate much of our public policy. Likewise, there is no stronger foe of zombie economics, the misunderstandings that just won’t die. In Arguing with Zombies, Krugman tackles many of these misunderstandings, taking stock of where the United States has come from and where it’s headed in a series of concise, digestible chapters. Drawn mainly from his popular New York Times column, they cover a wide range of issues, organized thematically and framed in the context of a wider debate.
-
-
Great introduction to US economics
- By Kevin Helton on 04-05-20
Summary
Ever since its first publication in 1992, The End of History and the Last Man has provoked controversy and debate. Francis Fukuyama's prescient analysis of religious fundamentalism, politics, scientific progress, ethical codes, and war is as essential for a world fighting fundamentalist terrorists as it was for the end of the Cold War. Now updated with a new afterword, The End of History and the Last Man is a modern classic.
What listeners say about The End of History and the Last Man
Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Jonathan
- 26-08-20
Silly boi doesn't know what he's talking about
very inaccurate boi. History doesn't just end because socialism ✌died✌. 2008 and Climate change proves that Capitalism is unstable!!!!
3 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Phil Winston
- 15-09-18
An amazing book
An detailed journey through the history of western philosophy and it's place in the evolution of society towards liberal democracy.
2 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Kevin Teeple
- 27-06-19
An important discussion expertly narrated
When the average American encounters discussion of democracy, it's usually in two broad categories:
A. The unquestioning loyalty to the ideal, in relation to the terrible historical alternatives, like absolute monarchy, fascism, and communism.
B. The attack on the goodness of democracy from people who are loyal to those terrible historical alternatives.
It's rare for a person to encounter not only something that says that liberal democracy is good, but to go in detail as to WHY specifically it is good on its own, not just as the best of a series of bad choices, as in the famous quote of "Democracy is the worst form of government, except for all the others" which is commonly attributed to Winston Churchill but never directly attributed.
With a 15 hour audio book, the central tenet of Fukuyama's argument seems to be this: The human soul is made of three parts, reason, desire, and thymos, Greek for "spiritedness." Liberal democracy is the best way to satisfy all three parts of the soul, and resolves important contradictions that were part of all previous systems of government. Liberal democracy does itself have its own contradictions, but these are minor ones that are problematic in the manner of the degrees in which competing but opposing desires are dealt with, namely Megalothymia and Isothymia, as well as the related balance between liberty and equality, but these are less important than the fundamental contradictions in the relationship of lordship and bondage that characterized historical political systems.
To listen to this book, you don't need to agree with every sentence. In fact, Francis Fukuyama has this odd habit of going into such lengths of explaining contradicting points of view that it becomes very difficult in places to understand whether he's explaining someone else's point of view or explaining his own. But the underlying tenets of his arguments are solid, and his views are well-developed, clearly explained, and amply provided with real world evidence, such that this is not a book that can be ignored. Further, to my view, I do not believe that this is a book that has any logical bounds for a person to dismiss outright after reading in its entirety. Specific parts of the book can and have been criticized on many levels, but the central ideas are too well developed and too well furnished with real world evidence for anyone to have any grounds to disagree with them.
One last comment: L. J. Ganser's narration is great for this, and he deserves real recognition for his reading of the book. Audio quality was perfect, and the entire thing has the loud, clear volume of a professional sound studio. But what really sets it apart is L. J. Ganser's consistent emotional delivery of the entire story. This is, in many senses, a book of philosophy, which in many cases tend to be the most dense texts and most apt to ramble on and lose the reader. While Francis Fukuyama certainly deserves some of the credit for making a book that is both cerebral and accessible, L. J. Ganser needs credit for reading the book, not like a stuffy professor trying to teach a bored class important information, but like a storyteller at a campfire, speaking passionately about a subject that is both important to humanity, and a story that is fun to listen to. In a 15 hour story, never once in the entire thing did I feel like he was droning on, nor did I ever feel that L. J. Ganser was getting tired of reading the story out loud or that his passion and zeal were waning. It's one thing to read an adventure story with passion and interest. It's another feat entirely to read a book of philosophy such that the listeners of the book don't get bored. L. J. Ganser's reading was so passionate and exciting that there were times when I pulled my car into my driveway that I left the audio book running for a few minutes because I was enjoying listening to him so much. He truly deserves five stars for his performance of this book.
6 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- hans sandberg
- 27-09-18
if you haven't read Fukuyama, you are missing out
It took me many years to actually read (listen to) this book, but it is (despite the fact that some of its arguments are aging and some are flawed) brilliant and profound. The End of History and the Last Man.
8 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Pan Vera
- 26-04-19
Highly recommend for all social change agents.
this awesome audiobook casts light on how Humanity has achieved its current position and how we might consider making a future that is life serving.
3 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Andrew S
- 21-11-20
fascinating perspective well explored
Great book; fascinating ideas and thought provoking perspective on the underlying psychological, sociological, and philosophical reasons history has played out as it has.
My only gripe is that the narrator's tone in several cases felt inappropriately sarcastic changing the meaning of some passages.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Peter K.
- 25-04-20
still worth considering
while it is now dated, the principles still apply and the ideas are worth considering.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Nelson
- 01-01-19
Only a RAND analyst could come up with this
One of the most ridiculous analyses I have ever read/Audibled. Why does it still have any traction?
4 people found this helpful