Apocalyptic visions and prophecies from Zarathustra to yesterday form the luxuriant panorama in Eugen Weber's profound and elegant book. Beginning with the ancients of the West and the Orient and; especially; with those from whom we received our religions; the Jews and earliest Christians; Weber finds that an absolute belief in the end of time; when good would do final battle with evil; was omnipresent. Within centuries; apocalyptic beliefs inspired Crusades; scientific discoveries; works of art; voyages such as those of Columbus; rebellions and reforms. In the new world; American abolitionists; who were so critical to the movement to end slavery; believed in a final reckoning. The nineteenth and twentieth centuries' apocalyptic movements veered toward a lunatic fringe; and Weber rescues them from obloquy. From this more than two millennia history; he redresses the historical and religious amnesia that has consigned the study of apocalypses and millennial thought to the ash heap of thought and belief. Weber; a master storyteller; turns detective in this latest book as he finds these alternative rationalities in the West; Asia; Africa; and South America. He writes with profound respect for the millennial pulse in history while never losing his urbane and witty style of writing. As we approach our second millennium beset by a host of apocalyptic predictions and cults; this book offers a map of understanding of the creeds we ignore at our peril.
#268503 in Books 1983-10Ingredients: Example IngredientsOriginal language:EnglishPDF # 1 .88 x 5.88 x 8.75l; .84 #File Name: 0671449915202 pages
Review
57 of 64 people found the following review helpful. CLASS still valid today!By Allen SmallingA wonderfully persnickety dissection of the American class system; from "Top Out-of-Sight" all the way down to "Bottom Out-of-Sight;" that is bound to raise smiles and hackles alike. Though Fussell gained his academic reputation from THE GREAT WAR AND MODERN MEMORY in 1975; CLASS established him as an essayist in the early 1980s and remains the best of his social analyses. Thirty-five years later; these observations are just as witty -- and occasionally infuriating -- as ever. Required reading among fans of wit and humor.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. An Excellent Expansion of The Official Preppy HandbookBy Elder PrepI just finished reading Fussell's books and found it witty; erudite and entertaining. However as he writes on; the tone of the book becomes more depressing and seemingly hopeless; until the final chapter IX (p. 179). With this concluding chapter there sprung a flicker of hope that all Americans were not destined to succumb into proletarians; as the second half of the book suggests. Its interesting that in 1983 Fussell describes the X people in this last chapter; which based on his description sounds very much like what most would call hippies. Finally; this reader would suggest; of the frequent references to the masterwork of deportment; style and decor; Lisa Birnbach's "The Official Preppy Handbook" this become the prerequisite for this book.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Even though it is from the 80's most of the points made still ring true.By I buy StuffI have bought this book a handful of times over the years and given to people because it is hilarious. Even though it is from the 80's most of the points made still ring true.
