While perhaps not, on balance, as persuasive as Sam Huntington's The Clash of Civilizations, I enjoyed Fukuyama's book more. Despite being denser, it was more thought-provoking, and you could tell he considered the multiple angles of his argument as he moved through it. ( )

Fukuyama read Hegel to mean that history, that is the "history of warfare and the state" would soon come to an end due to the absolute worldwide triumph of the free market and liberal democracy. He based this upon the fall of the USSR, and became a favorite of "neocon" US and UK politicos. Dr. Fukuyama has since recanted and will now allow for a place in ethicity, nationality, religion, etc. in culture to have a voice in history. It is not yet a "mere chronology of important discoveries" as Fukuyama offered in the early 90s.
It is a very good primer for Hegel and also a warning not to place too much credit in anything "inevitable" for philosophy, political science and history students. I would have my students read it and point out what not to do in writing history or philosophy. ( )

glaube mir ( )

A superb grand narrative, but dated because of Osama -"Islam" has less than three pages.