Review On Paul Kennedys Book Essay Example

Review On Paul Kennedys Book Essay Example Review On Paul Kennedys Book Essay Review On Paul Kennedys Book Essay A brief knowledge of Historical events Is useful when reading this book as Individual Wars and Battles are not covered in too much detail because of the vast number of conflicts since the Renaissance period, however a reader with no historical background can read this book and gain a lot of knowledge, It has an easily read neural textbook feel about it, and It Is divided chronologically into three sections: pre-industrial 1500 1800, Industrial 1800 1943 and Today Tomorrow 1943 21st Century, which allows the book to be easily used as reference material for people interested In a particular period. A particularly Interesting feature of this History book Is that Instead of finishing when the author wrote It, Kennedy continues and makes his predictions for the future, he accurately predicted the fall of the Soviet union as well as the relative decline in the American economy with regards to the sis of new Powers such as China and the cooperation of the European states, which helps convince the reader in the 21st century that Kennedy Is somebody who knows what he Is talking about and that his arguments and predictions should be considered! The main line of the authors argument is that the Great Powers strength can only be tested against that of other Great Powers, one is by necessity always stronger than another due to factors such as the constantly differing growth rates, population and resources that each Power has. Kennedy time and again links the Roth or decline of an economy with the respective Powers military capability and eventual rise or fall. Whilst reading the book, backed with the wealth of examples and evidence Kennedy cites giving tables, charts and maps; it is easy to be convinced by Kennedys arguments. After all It makes sense that the bal-polar world of the Austrian and Spanish ended as they overextended themselves, creating the multi polar eighteenth century including Britain, France, Austria, Prussia and Russia. Kennedy then states that the economical power created by the Countries that were prepared o industrialist created a new series of superpowers: The nineteenth century British Empire then the t wentieth century Soviet union and the united States, and as the growth of these states stagnates and others grow world power will become multi polar once more encompassing five more possible powers; LISA, Russia, China, India and the ELI. Personally I agree mostly with what Kennedy says but In my opinion there are several difficulties, firstly he argues that Europe rose to dominate the rest of the world as opposed to because of fragmented states, increasing competition and 1 OFF actors for the decline of the Spanish Empire caused through lack of cohesion When I read this part for the first time, I though that this seemed like a contradiction, but on further thought could Kennedy mean however that these factors are beneficial to the rise of a power, however once they have reached a Great Power status begin to become a burden and can act as a factor in the Powers decline? I also think that an important factor which appears to be understated in the book are the leaders of Powers, I dont want to appear biased towards elite history as opposed to economic story, but using the Spanish Empire example from earlier, Spain did had ineffectual monarchs certainly from the mid seventeenth century, and was the time at which the Empire started to decline, cumulating in the Spanish war of Succession which in effect made Spain a second rate power. If Spain had more capable leaders they would have been in a better position to remain a major world player. In conclusion I would recommend The Rise and Fall of the Great Powers, it is easily read, there are maps and charts which help the reader visualize the political boundaries of the time. The main arguments are well backed up, and it is interesting as the focus is constantly changing from state to state. It is a good book for students but anybody with an interest could read and understand it. The Book I am about to review The Rise and Fall of the Great Powers is one of fourteen books written by Paul Kennedy, the author is considered an expert in the fields of Grand Strategy and International Relations, he previously studied under the famous historian GAP Taylor and this is Kennedys best known book to date; it being translated into twenty three languages, reaching no. N the Bestselling Hardcover Books when it was released in 1988 and also winning Kennedy the Williston History Prize for his work. The Book is rather long; owing to the fact it covers five hundred years of World History of the Great Powers, yet focuses largely towards European Powers, as that is where the majority of power lay until the early twentieth century. A brief knowledge of Historical events is useful when reading this book as individual Wars and Battles are not covered in too much detail because of the vast number of conflicts since the Renaissance period, however reader with no historical background can read this book and gain a lot of knowledge, it has an easily read general textbook feel about it, and it is divided chronologically into three sections: Pre-industrial 1500 1800, Industrial 1800 1943 and Today Tomorrow 1943 21st Century, which allows the book to be easily used as reference material for people interested in a particular period. A particularly interesting feature of this History book is that instead of finishing when the author wrote it, Kennedy continues and makes his predictions for the future, he accurately redirected the fall of the Soviet Union as well as the relative decline in the American economy with regards to the rise of new Powers such as China and the cooperation of the European states, which helps convince the reader in the 21st century that Kennedy is somebody who knows what he is talking about and that his arguments and predictions should be considered! The main line of the authors argument is that the Great Powers strength can only be tested against that of other Great Powers, one is by necessity always stronger than another due to factors such as the constantly offering growth rates, population and resources that each Power has. Kennedy time and again links the growth or decline of an economy with the respective Powers wealth of examples and evidence Kennedy cites giving tables, charts and maps; it is easy to be convinced by Kennedys arguments, after all it makes sense that the bi- polar world of the Austrian and Spanish ended as they overextended themselves, creating the multi polar eighteenth century including Britain, France, Austria, Prussia and Russia. Kennedy then states that the economical power created by the Countries hat were prepared to industrialist created a new series of superpowers: The nineteenth century British Empire then the twentieth century Soviet Union and the United States, and as the growth of these states stagnates and others grow world power will become multi polar once more encompassing five more possible powers; USA, Russia, China, India and the ELI. Personally I agree mostly with what Kennedy says but in my opinion there are several difficulties, firstly he argues that Europe rose to dominate the rest of the world as opposed to because of fragmented states, increasing competition and the freedom for merchants to do as they wish, yet he later cites the same reasons as factors for the decline of the Spanish Empire caused through lack of cohesion When I read this part for the first time, I though that this seemed like a contradiction, but on further thought could Kennedy mean however that these factors are beneficial to the rise of a power, however once they have reached a Great Power status begin to become a burden and can act as a factor in the Powers decline? I also think that an important factor which appears to be understated in the book are the leaders of Powers, I dont want to appear biased towards elite history as opposed to economic history, but using the Spanish Empire example from earlier, Spain did had ineffectual monarchs certainly from the mid seventeenth century, and was the time at which the Empire started to decline, cumulating in the Spanish war of Succession which in effect made Spain a second rate power. If Spain had more capable leaders they would have been in a better position to remain a major world player. In conclusion I would recommend The Rise ND Fall of the Great Powers, it is easily read, there are maps and charts which help the reader visualize the political boundaries of the time. The main arguments are well backed up, and it is interesting as the focus is constantly changing from state to state. It is a good book for students but anybody with an interest could read and understand it. The Book I am about to review The Rise and Fall of the Great Powers is one of fourteen books written by Paul Kennedy, the author is considered an expert in the fields of Grand Strategy and International Relations, he previously studied ender the famous historian GAP Taylor and this is Kennedys best known book to date; it being translated into twenty three languages, reaching no. 6 in the Bestselling Hardcover Books when it was released in 1988 and also winning Kennedy the Williston History Prize for his work. The Book is rather long; owing to the fact it covers five hundred years of World History of the Great Powers, yet focuses largely towards European Powers, as that is where the majority of power lay until the early twentieth century. A brief knowledge of Historical events is useful when reading this book as individual Wars and Battles are not covered in too much detail because of the vast number of conflicts since the Renaissance period, however a reader with no historical background can read this book and gain a lot of knowledge, it has an easily read general textbook feel about it, and it is divided chronologically into three sections: interested in a particular period. A particularly interesting feature of this History book is that instead of finishing when the author wrote it, Kennedy continues and Union as well as the relative decline in the American economy with regards to the alps convince the reader in the 21st century that Kennedy is somebody who knows what he is talking about and that his arguments and predictions should be Kennedys arguments, after all it makes sense that the bi-polar world of the Austrian Empire then the twentieth century Soviet Union and the United States, and as the polar once more encompassing five more possible powers; USA, Russia, China, India and the ELI. Personally I agree mostly with what Kennedy says but in my opinion the freedom for merchants to do as they wish, yet he later cites the same reasons as with an interest could read and understand it.