Introduction.
The author is a young energetic historian who has entertaining and insightful ideas. His exuberance on occasion leads him astray, he can be too pessimistic, and he should be more cautious in his prophesizing. I should make such a criticism, in my early 20's I came to the conclusion that society would fall off a cliff a few decades after I had died. I might die tonight. It is going to be a close call because present indications are I have many years left in this decaying container.
