redrobinbookreviews

The Square and the Tower: Networks and Power, from the Freemasons to Facebook   Niall Ferguson
Well written look at history, primarily European, from the point-of-view of the struggle between networks and hierarchies. I had problems with Ferguson before I read this book, primarily his love of empires and oppression, especially the British Empire which he adores, and his extreme conservative politics, both of which are prominent throughout his analysis. I’m fascinated by networks, especially network theory, so the topic sounded tremendously interesting. Unfortunately, didn’t encounter any new ideas really, I have questions about his sources, and I found his conclusions unpersuasive.