Tony Robert Judt Book order (chronological)

Something is profoundly wrong with our contemporary way of living. In this insightful work, Tony Judt, a prominent historian and thinker, examines how we've reached this confusing moment. He articulates the collective unease regarding the current state of affairs, particularly highlighted by the 2008 economic collapse, which exposed the fragility of the postwar social contract that promised security, stability, and fairness. This contract is now absent from public discourse. Judt provides the necessary language to address our shared needs, opposing the nihilistic individualism of the far right and the outdated socialism of the past. To move forward, we must draw lessons from our recent history and embrace social democracy, prioritizing fairness over mere efficiency. Social democrats advocate for an enhanced role of the state in our lives without compromising our freedoms. Rather than placing blind faith in the market, as we have done for the past three decades, they emphasize trust in citizens and the state. This work challenges us to confront societal issues and take responsibility for our world. Hope persists, and by reintroducing alternatives to the status quo, Judt revitalizes our political dialogue, equipping us with the tools to envision a new governance and way of life.

Finalist for the Pulitzer Prize • Winner of the Council on Foreign Relations Arthur Ross Book Award • One of the New York Times’s 100 Best Books of the 21st Century “Impressive . . . Mr. Judt writes with enormous authority.” —The Wall Street Journal “Magisterial . . . It is, without a doubt, the most comprehensive, authoritative, and yes, readable postwar history.” —The Boston Globe Almost a decade in the making, this much-anticipated grand history of postwar Europe from one of the world's most esteemed historians and intellectuals is a singular achievement. Postwar is the first modern history that covers all of Europe, both east and west, drawing on research in six languages to sweep readers through thirty-four nations and sixty years of political and cultural change-all in one integrated, enthralling narrative. Both intellectually ambitious and compelling to read, thrilling in its scope and delightful in its small details, Postwar is a rare joy.