The Great Degeneration

How Institutions Decay and Economies Die

By: Niall Ferguson

Narrated by: Paul Slack

Best-selling author and world-renowned historian Niall Ferguson has won widespread acclaim for thought-provoking works such as Civilization and High Financier. The Great Degeneration tackles nothing less than the decline of Western civilization. Ferguson posits that slowing growth, outrageous debt, and antisocial behavior are contributing to the erosion of the West’s once rock-solid foundations. Ferguson excavates the causes and shows how heroic leadership and radical reform are needed to right the course.

©2013 Niall Ferguson (P)2013 Recorded Books

Relevant points that are playing out in 2024

Bathing in pessimism is dangerous, but a clear eyed look at some of the potential issues in large societies is healthy.
Easy listen for the latter

Incredible

As always, Niall is very insightful and pleasant to listen to. I’ll be purchasing his other books as well.

Outdated, needs an update.

This is over ten years old and many of the predictions have failed to materialize. While history is a very good context for the present and future it needs to be continually referenced against the present.

Good but short

Where does The Great Degeneration rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

middle of the pack due to length

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

short

What does Paul Slack bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

n/a

If you could give The Great Degeneration a new subtitle, what would it be?

How Institutions affect a civilization.
I didn't really find the reasons why they decay.
More of a case as to the effect.
Insightful book though.

Any additional comments?

Niall Ferguson is good at economic history. No doubt.

Ferguson does it again. Brilliant!

This is a fascinating economic evaluation of current history. It is rational and there is no panic. Still its message is quite urgent.