7 Tipping Points That Saved the World

Chris and Ted Stewart have chosen to chronicle seven major events from world history that, to me, show how blessed we are to enjoy the freedoms we now have. The work [...] is so interesting that, once once opens the cover and begins to learn about these events, it is difficult to put the book down. It makes one grateful to live in these times -- perilous though they are becoming -- and makes one want to protect that which we have.

A strong arguement that no matter how Westerners follow in the traditions of our ancestors in bickering, bungling, and focusing on petty things there is a Higher Power which always leads us out of the wildernesses of our own making. This book (written in part by a Clinton appointee) has given me great hope! It should (God willing) be given great consideration by participants and cheerleaders alike of the Arab spring.

These seven major events are well-known (at least among older generations), and the authors reveal how close-run the outcomes were--how this could have been a very different world if any one of those events had gone the other way.

Chris and Ted Stewart have written a remarkable book of history. Their identification of "tipping points" and the historical narrative describing them and their significance is life changing for the reader. The prose describing the epic wars that characterize man's existence on this world and the unfathomable cruelty that was (and still is) a way of life for much of the world's population brought me into the midst of it. I could see the battle and feel the anguish of its combatants. And yet, the pursuit of freedom, self-determination, enlightenment and prosperity, driven by Judeo-Christian ethic, were not defeated in spite of seemingly insurmountable odds. This book is definitely a "must read".

As we hear that American schools are teaching less and less about true history, it makes sense with the "progressive" agenda. This book gives a few examples all through history that could have caused the freedom that we have experienced over the last several hundred years to have never happened. The same evil forces that have existed throughout time keep showing up and trying to take any form of freedom it can from man. The book shows through history that slavery has been the norm and freedom has only existed briefly throughout man's time. It is also interesting the cruelty that many of the governments inflicted on their subjects when given fill power to rule with no checks and balances. I highly recommend the book since we see many of the same arguments being made today that ultimately led to the loss of freedom throughout history.

I would recommend this book to everyone for historical value, freedom and it's fragility and profound value. It shows just how sinful man is and how desperately we need God. Remembering that true freedom is spiritual not physical and or political.

This book made me realize how grateful I should be to live in todays world, with all its flaws this is still the best country and the best time to be alive. But if we are not careful we could lose every thing

This book was informative and I learned history that I hadn't been aware of. There was a little too much What if? but that was the actual point of the book. How much differently would our world look had any one of these situations been allowed to follow through. It does show that a power higher than just man was in charge of each individual situation so that it turned out the way that was intended to produce the result which did occur. I would recommend it for the history buff who wants to sharpen their understanding of the way the world is today and why.

Excellent read - short history lesson of significant events that formed/saved the World, written from a Christian perspective. Truly believe that this book, along with the "Seven Miracles that Saved America" should be required reading for all high school and college students. A book that is sure to inspire a love for history. Well written, easy to read. I read it through once, liked it so much, I read it again - with my yellow highlighter!

An eye opener explaining and clarifying how the world got to were it is, and why. Should be taught in schools, especially in colleges instead of some of the disruptive and destructive junk that is taught.

I am enjoying this book immensely because it opens my eyes to real history. We live in the "Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave", a very rare circumstance for people on this planet. It also helps me to understand that we
must stand up for our freedoms so that we don't allow them to slip through our
fingers. This book is of interest to Christians, Jews, and Muslims because it shows how God orchestrated his plans in the cultures of the world.

History interpreted to show a long term trend is a more interesting presentation of historical ideas. Similar to Burkes "Connections" for technological history, the Stuarts choose seven events in the chain of development of our freedom where the line of development could have ended. They also alternate history and historical fiction to clarify the issues of each crisis. A good read.

While one may argue that there are other tipping points, no one can argue that these seven tipping pionts are very significent. At the time they occur they probably are not recognized. But from view point of history they loom huge

I found this book to be thoroughly enjoyable and would highly recommend it. I thought the authors' conclusions were very persuasive and it reinforced for me the concept of how truly remarkable it is to enjoy the freedom we have. The kind of freedom we enjoy today is a far more rare commodity than generally appreciated. I also liked the manner in which the introductory vignettes in each chapter set the tone and make it easier to envision the actual events themselves. I have shared this book with several others already and they found it as enjoyable as I have.

The overall points that the book makes are sound, but unfortunately some of the secondary sources used are not of a high standard.Will Durant is cited as a standard source of history and although he is admirable, he was writing 70 years ago! Surely historians found out a bit more since then. The discussion of Thermopylae could have been a lot better though its conclusions are sound. Imagine my surprise on page 105 when I discovered a Christian child going through garbage in ancient Rome to discover potato peelings which would make a good lunch! Potatoes along with tomatoes and peppers are an American invention and did not make it to Europe until sometime after 1492.Physician heal thyself only in this case it is "author read your book". On page 229 the author quotes Will Durant "New plants came from America to enrich European agriculture- the potato, tomato, artichoke, squash, maize". Still no mention of capsicum and Chili. This does not destroy my faith in the book but rather reminds me of an earlier version of a novel involving Thermopylae where the hero had tomatoes for breakfast. Otherwise the book is reasonably satisfactory.It has an interesting argument and is easy to read.

Focusing on just seven events in the long and troubled history of the human race is inherently selective. Why pick five pivotal battles, the conversion of Rome to Christianity, and Europe's "discovery of the new world" without at least discussing some other possibilities?

One reason is that the seven "tipping points" are fascinating stories, which all things considered are told in a highly readable and generally informative way.

Consider "Two Gods at War," which relates the Assyrian siege of the city of Jerusalem about 701 BC. The lead-up to this battle and the disposition of the opposing forces are reminiscent of the invasions of Mordor in The Lord of The Rings trilogy, and unlike most of the stories in the book I did not know this one. Wow, it looked like the end of the Jewish culture and religion. But no, the invaders melted away and left, defeated apparently by a plague rather than by the Jewish forces.

A second reason is the authors' thesis that these particular events were pivotal in preserving and spreading freedom, which is by far the exception rather than the rule in human experience, and thereby "saved the world." Here the logic is weak.

Each battle is characterized in terms of "bad" invaders with overwhelming forces at their disposal (in turn Assyrians, Persians, Mongols, Muslims, and Germans) versus "good" defenders who by skill, luck, or divine providence prevailed. Maybe so, and certainly it is natural for Westerners to empathize with the winning side in each case.

But many other battles have been fought, and it would be difficult to contend that "good" defenders are generally victorious. If the Mongols failed to take Vienna and then overrun the rest of Europe, for example, they established one of the largest empires in history, pillaging and subjugating many lands in the process. How did that demonstrate divine providence?

The conversion of the Roman Empire to Christianity seems like a good thing, but some historians have linked this event to Rome's decline and fall.

The European voyages of discovery in 1492 et seq. opened new vistas, but the Vikings discovered the New World centuries earlier and nothing much happened as a result.

As for the world being saved, there may be future tipping points that will not go as well for the Western world.

Conclusion: Although engaging, this book is simplistic. The lessons of history are more complex, subtle and ambiguous than it seems to suggest.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book; a real eye opener for me. I feel extremely fortunate to be an American knowing all the suffering that has occurred in this world. The number of lives sacrificed to protect Christianity and freedom is finable. I had no idea. An outstanding read!!!

Excellent historical information that shows how very special we in the west are, to be living in freedom. Only a very small percentage of humanity has ever been fortunate enough to enjoy what we have, yet we take this precious gift so lightly.

I never paid attention to history. In school, I studied enough to get a good grade. But somehow, this book brought everything to life. I can see the Scarlet Thread of God weaving through the ages....bringing about His plan. It is important for us to know that life did not begin the day we were born.

The authors are talented with a great command of style and skillfully crafted writing. I regret not having downloaded the sample first but the reviewers were so positive as was my friend. I was expecting a well reasoned guide through interesting points in history. I had doubts after reading the introduction. Part-way through chapter one I was dismayed. By chapter two I was dumb-struck by the inaccuracies. To be fair to the authors the do use phrases like, "some believe" or according to "Stark." As an electronic book the use of numbered in-text citations is well done and appreciated. That said the Library of Congress listing for this book puts it into Christian American History. If you are already a believer in American Exceptional ism (as the authors fairly declare themselves to be) you will find your World view and Ideology unchallenged by this book. As a lover of unpolished non-perfect hindsight history, I was disappointed. The authors deserve two stars based upon style format and well supported quotes and great use of the electronic format. As a book of history I would give it 1/2 star. I hope you find this helpful.