Preview
  • Ignorance

  • A Global History
  • By: Peter Burke
  • Narrated by: Oliver Wyman
  • Length: 10 hrs and 57 mins
  • 4.6 out of 5 stars (7 ratings)

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Ignorance

By: Peter Burke
Narrated by: Oliver Wyman
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Publisher's summary

A rich, wide-ranging history of ignorance in all its forms, from antiquity to the present day.

Throughout history, every age has thought of itself as more knowledgeable than the last. Renaissance humanists viewed the Middle Ages as an era of darkness, Enlightenment thinkers tried to sweep superstition away with reason, the modern welfare state sought to slay the “giant” of ignorance, and in today’s hyperconnected world seemingly limitless information is available on demand. But what about the knowledge lost over the centuries? Are we really any less ignorant than our ancestors?

In this highly original account, Peter Burke examines the long history of humanity’s ignorance across religion and science, war and politics, business and catastrophes. Burke reveals remarkable stories of the many forms of ignorance—genuine or feigned, conscious and unconscious—from the willful politicians who redrew Europe’s borders in 1919 to the politics of whistleblowing and climate-change denial. The result is a lively exploration of human knowledge across the ages and the importance of recognizing its limits.

©2023 Peter Burke (P)2023 Audible, Inc.
  • Unabridged Audiobook
  • Categories: History
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What listeners say about Ignorance

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we are all ignorant, just depends on what we study. Can't know it all

I liked it all, good production, good book, gr eat author, very good narrative. great author

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Very informative and interesting

I really enjoyed this book… very informative and interesting. The book can open your appetite to read more about certain events in detail.

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A Great Overview Of Ignorance

I love the accessibility of this book. It’s not heavy on jargon. It highlights a wide variety of ignorance both good and bad.

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Political Agenda

Writer is obviously left wing and ultraliberal. Biased references demeaning and making Republicans looking "ignorant" and Democrats "informed" when speaking of politicians. Burke represents the universal left wing university professor.

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3 people found this helpful