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).

“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)

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