The Fourth Turning: An American Prophecy Audiobook [Free Download by Trial]

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The Fourth Turning: An American Prophecy

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Summary

This astonishing book will change the way you see the world--and your place in it. With startling originality, The Fourth Turning illuminates the past, explains the present, and reimagines the future. Most remarkably, it offers an utterly persuasive prophecy about a new American era that will begin just after the millennium.William Strauss and Neil Howe base this vision on a provocative new theory of American history. With the same intellectual audacity that animated their previous best-sellers, Generations and 13th-GEN, the authors look back five hundred years and uncover a distinct pattern: Modern history moves in cycles, each one lasting about the length of a long human life, each composed of four eras--or "turnings"--that last about twenty years and that always arrive in the same order. First comes a High, a period of confident expansion as a new order takes root after the old has been swept away. Next comes an Awakening, a time of spiritual exploration and rebellion against the now-established order. Then comes an Unraveling, an increasingly troubled era in which individualism triumphs over crumbling institutions. Last comes a Crisis--the Fourth Turning--when society passes through a great and perilous gate in history. Together, the four turnings comprise history's seasonal rhythm of growth, maturation, entropy, and rebirth.Strauss and Howe locate today's America as midway through an Unraveling, roughly a decade away from the next era of Crisis. In a brilliant analysis of the post-World War II period, they show how generational dynamics are the key to understanding the cycles of American history. They draw vivid portraits of all the modern generations: the can-do G.I.s, the mediating Silent, the values-absorbed Boomers, the pragmatic 13ers, and the child Millennials. Placed in the context of history's long rhythms, the persona and role of each generation become clear--as does the inevitability of the coming Crisis.By applying the lessons of history, The Fourth Turning makes some bold and hopeful predictions about America's next rendezvous with destiny. It also shows us how we can prepare for what's ahead, both individually and as a nation. As Future Shock did in the 1970s and Megatrends did in the 1980s, this groundbreaking book will have a profound effect on every reader's perception of where we've been and where we're going.From the Hardcover edition.

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10 comments

  • This theory is absolutely fascinating, especially because it was written back in the 90s. It's remarkable how much of what the authors predicted using their model has actually come true. We're currently living in a very peculiar time in the United States, where many people seem to believe that things will never change. It's important to remember that even mighty Rome eventually fell, and less than a decade ago, the world economy was on the verge of collapse. In the current oligarchy that America has become, anything can happen. As Monty Python taught us, "No one expects the Spanish Inquisition!" This book has not only enlightened me about the uncertain path of history, but it has also influenced how I plan to live my life moving forward. It has brought me a sense of peace amidst the chaotic nature of our world.
  • The information presented in this book is so detailed that it can be quite challenging to grasp when listening to it. However, the author does a great job of using tables to visually present the information, which helps overcome this obstacle. One downside to the book is that it tends to be quite repetitive, which personally made me less motivated to keep reading. Nonetheless, if you require this specific information, I would still recommend giving the book a try.
  • I read this book when I was just a kid and it really breaks down and predicts the events unfolding before us. It highlights the precariousness of our situation and the potential consequences that await. It's alarming to think that Biden, who has been involved in politics for so long, embodies the very worst outcome during this critical period, leading us towards destruction.
  • This book provides a really fascinating framework for understanding history. While I may not completely agree with the hypothesis, it presents a compelling argument that generations play a significant role in shaping history, rather than the other way around. I'm not entirely convinced that all generational archetypes can neatly fit into four categories, but I can see how the interactions between generations and the impact they have on each other can shape different eras. The idea of cyclical patterns in history is also intriguing and makes logical sense. What's particularly interesting is that the book accurately predicts certain events that have unfolded during the crisis era. It mentions the possibility of a pandemic (like Covid), a war against terrorists, a financial crisis (which isn't surprising given its regular occurrence), and significant devaluation (essentially referring to money printing, dollar devaluation, and inflation). According to the book, the crisis era is predicted to span from 2005 to approximately 2025, with a peak around 2020. I would consider the events of September 11, 2001, as the rough beginning of this era, followed by the era of endless war until 2020, with the peak occurring between 2020 and 2022. The resolution of this crisis era is anticipated to happen in 2026, hopefully bringing about significant change and renewed hope, similar to what was experienced after World War II.
  • The Fourth Turning: An American Prophecy, published in 1997, presents an intriguing concept of generational psychology following distinct patterns. The authors make a compelling argument in support of this theory. In their attempt to make long-term predictions spanning a century, some of their forecasts have astonishingly come true in the past two decades. They accurately predicted significant events such as war, recession, and certain political developments. With a touch of humor, they also try to predict the characteristics of the millennial generation, although I personally believe they missed the mark on this one. They suggest that the importance of technology will diminish and actually bring society closer together, but I believe the outcome is more complex and not as straightforward. All in all, the book is an entertaining and amusing read. However, it can also be seen as a somewhat impractical use of time.
  • Listening to 'The Fourth Turning: An American Prophecy' felt like tuning in to a horoscope reading. The author selectively chooses data to support their own predetermined narrative, akin to cherry-picking. Throughout the audiobook, there are mentions of various individuals and their opinions from different periods in history, yet no concrete examples are provided to back up any claims made.
  • This book is not only expertly crafted and extensively researched, but it also manages to captivate readers from start to finish. Anyone who picks up this book will definitely not regret it.
  • I've already listened to this book four times and I have to say, it presents history in a whole new light and offers some seriously eye-opening perspectives on current societal issues and what lies ahead. It's a rollercoaster of emotions, both inspiring and bone-chilling.
  • This audiobook is hands down the most awful one I've ever listened to. It's essentially a long-winded and empty sermon, with no substance. If you enjoy wasting your time on purpose just to experience something truly terrible, then this is your chance. Even reading the nutritional information on a can of veggies would be a more worthwhile and insightful endeavor.
  • It feels like we've totally forgotten about the normal cycles that everything goes through - like life, economies, cultures, governments, and so on. This book does a great job of showing how generation gaps fit into this natural pattern. It really helped me grasp why my parents' generation often feels so different and disconnected compared to that of my grandparents. This book is absolutely mind-blowing.
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