Part V

The Part of Tens

In this part . . .

Time for some lists! Here you get the chance to lap up my own personal preferences and prejudices and try them out on your friends. You’ll find my nominations for the century’s greatest iconic moments, most illustrious international organisations, most important films, and absolutely worst ideas. Read and enjoy.

Two health warnings, though. First, remember these are just my ideas. You may disagree with every word I write here: That’s what freedom of opinion means. Just bear in mind that I’m not claiming any special insight: The most I’ll say is that I think each example I’ve included has a good case and is at the very least well worth considering.

Second, some of these examples will seem a bit ‘heavier’ than others. Totalitarian dictatorship might seem a rather weightier burden to carry than other people’s chewing gum habits. Not so fast. The little things in history, as in life, can have the greatest impact. No one ended up in therapy because they were worried about the future of constitutional government, but plenty of people get driven nuts by the noise from next door or the latest rise in interest rates. Politicians know this; the best historians know it too.

You’re in the hands of a historian who knows.