The Strange Persistence of Universal History in Political Thought

Brett Bowden is Professor of History and Politics at Western Sydney University. His recent major publications include Direct Hit: The Bombing of Darwin Post Office (2016), Civilization and War (2013), and the multi-award—winning Empire of Civilization: the Evolution of an Imperial Idea (2009).

1. In the Beginning.- 2. Universal History.- 3. Progressive History.- 4. Making History.- 5. The Ends.

"Bowden's The Strange Persistence of Universal History in Political Thought is a strange book. It is also a book worth reading and thinking about. ... It is worth reading, however, first as a history of the writing of universal history, and second as a way to think about the way our concepts of history shape society." (Michael J. Douma, The Journal of Value Inquiry, Vol. 53, 2019)

“Bowden’s The Strange Persistence of Universal History in Political Thought is a strange book. It is also a book worth reading and thinking about. … It is worth reading, however, first as a history of the writing of universal history, and second as a way to think about the way our concepts of history shape society.” (Michael J. Douma, The Journal of Value Inquiry, Vol. 53, 2019)