As the second millennium ends‎,‎ eminent scholars attempt to sum up the history‎,‎ politics and culture of the 20th century‎.‎ Here Conrad surveys every possible aspect of cultural development in a wide‎-ranging and erudite fashion‎.‎ The examples‎,‎ from a wide range of disciplines‎,‎ testify to the author‎'‎s command of such a huge and demanding task‎.‎ As the sleeve notes indicate‎,‎ Conrad views modernity as a rollercoaster ride‎.‎ So‎,‎ too‎,‎ is the book‎;‎ readers may well find it hard to keep up‎,‎ but it is definitely worth the effort‎.‎ ‎(‎Kirkus UK‎)‎