With the Falling of the Dusk
Stan Grant
With the Falling of the Dusk
Stan Grant
History is turning. In only a few short decades, we have come a long way from Francis Fukuyama’s declaration of the ‘end of history’ and the triumph of liberal democracy in 1989. Now, with the inexorable rise and rise of China, the ascendancy of authoritarianism and the retreat of democracy, the world stands at a moment of crisis.
This is a time of momentous upheaval and enormous geopolitical shifts, compounded by global pandemics, looming world depression, Islamist and far right terror, and a resurgent white supremacy. The world is in lockdown and the showdown with China is accelerated - and while the West has been at the forefront of history for 200 years, it must now adapt to a world it no longer dominates. At this moment, we stand on a precipice - what will become of us?
Stan Grant is one of our foremost observers and chroniclers of the world in crisis. Weaving his personal experiences of reporting from the front lines of the world’s flashpoints, together with his deep understanding of politics, history and philosophy, he explores what is driving the world to crisis and how it might be averted.
From China to North Korea and Northern Ireland to South Africa and the Middle East - Stan captures this moment of democracy in retreat and authoritarianism on the march. He fears for the worst, but begins to chart the way forward. There is bitterness, anger and history here, but there is also the capacity for negotiation, forgiveness and hope.
Review
Chris Gordon
Stan Grant’s new book is not a long book. It will only take you an evening to read, but my advice is to take your time with it. In With the Falling of the Dusk, Grant has created his snapshot of the world, and an overview of the consequences of the world’s development and greed. This is a book about crossroads and certain points in history that illustrates where we are right now, how we arrived here and why we are here. It makes for compelling reading.
Grant is a precise writer; he uses his decades of experience as a correspondent covering global conflicts and political upheaval, as well as his own philosophical reading, to provide you with this portrait of our times. In particular, he draws on his time as a correspondent in Asia to document shifts in global power. Think of this book as a tool to reflect on the way we live and the immediate consequences of our collective inability to question our governments regarding environmental crisis, media ownership and our trade agreements. Though these are weighty topics, Grant does provide some relief, some means out of the darkness and into a world of equality and kindness. He is not an optimist though, more a realist and one that does not suffer excuses.
After reading this book, you will find yourself keen to deliberate and think more about the global issues it raises. You will find yourself asking how you can do better and be better. We want to believe we are all in it together, that we are all equal, until as Grant points out, we are not. Consider this read the start of your own response to dismay and outrage, but also to understanding how small changes can have global consequences. With the Falling of the Dusk is a wake-up call. Read it so you are in the know.
Chris Gordon is the programming and events manager for Readings.
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