A History of the Modern World: From 1950 to the Present Day

Written by leading historian Jeremy Black, this fascinating reference guide charts an incredible history of the modern world.

In this masterful account, Black explores the key themes that have shaped the history of the modern world since 1950. Eschewing a simple political narrative, he instead explores the roles of the environment, demographics, the economy and technology in driving change in the world.

The story begins in 1950, by which time a new world order had come into place, with Communism firmly established in Russia, Eastern Europe and China, decolonisation well underway in the old European empires, and the American monopoly on nuclear weaponry at an end, setting the stage for the Cold War.

Over the course of the next 75 years, the world changed immeasurably - the population nearly tripled; climate change became ever more pronounced; new liberal values regarding gender, sexuality and age took hold; television and then the internet became the primary drivers of culture; and a new frontier of exploration opened up in space. At the same time tensions continued in politics, with alternative models of democracy and authoritarianism coming into fierce conflict and a range of new countries emerging through decolonization.

Ranging widely across the globe, A History of the Modern World sheds new light on this fascinating era.

Author: Professor Jeremy Black
Format: Paperback
Pages: 256
Publisher: Arcturus Publishing Ltd
Published: 1 September 2026
ISBN: 9781398869455