The Great Illusion, Norman Angell
The Great Illusion, Norman Angell
List: $12.95 | Sale: $9.07
Club: $6.47

The Great Illusion

Author: Norman Angell

Narrator: Kenny Davis

Unabridged: 9 hr 14 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Loudly

Published: 04/12/2023

Synopsis

"The Great Illusion" by Norman Angell is a thought-provoking analysis of international relations and the causes of war. First published in 1909, the book challenges the prevailing view of the time that war was a necessary and inevitable component of international politics.Angell argues that the economic interdependence of nations in the modern world makes war irrational and self-defeating. He contends that war can no longer bring about the benefits it did in the past and that the cost of modern warfare would outweigh any potential gains. In this sense, he argues that the belief in the benefits of war is a "great illusion".Angell's analysis is a precursor to the current debate on globalization and the interdependence of nations in the 21st century. He presents a powerful case for international cooperation, arguing that peace and prosperity can only be achieved through mutual understanding and collaboration among nations."The Great Illusion" is a seminal work in the field of international relations and a must-read for anyone interested in the causes of war and the prospects for peace in the modern world. It is a powerful reminder of the importance of diplomacy and cooperation in solving the complex problems of our time

Reviews

Goodreads review by André on December 31, 2007

The Great Illusion, also known as Europe's Optical Illusion, is one of the seminal texts of the idealist/liberal school of thought in the discipline of International Relations - which, incidentally, did not exist when Angell first published the book. It is one of the clearest, most articulate, acces......more

Goodreads review by Tommy on September 27, 2008

Angell makes some interesting points in this book. His description of the dynamics of the economy and how military conquering and economic restriction benefits no one, including the person who initiated it to gain advantage. Angell makes good use of metaphors to explain his ideas simply but can often......more

Goodreads review by Mark on April 04, 2014

Ironically written five years before World War I, this book's idealistic notions were both proven and disproven in short order. The consequences were proven, but the deterrent of mutually assured economic destruction is quickly disproven as Europe devolved into war in 1914. I think the modern value o......more

Goodreads review by Greg on May 05, 2015

This is a core text in international relations and is the best one-stop-shop for quintessential commercial pacifism. Angell builds on Adam Smith and Thomas Paine to make an air tight case for how market capitalism and democratic governments promote peace. Agree with it or not, this is an extremely i......more

Goodreads review by Samuel on November 04, 2022

"Improvement came finally, not from better intention, but from an acuter use of the intelligence of men, from hard mental work." (pg. 190)......more

Add to Cart
Add to Wish List