Niall Ferguson's The Square and the Tower: Networks, Hierarchies and the Struggle for Global Power dives into the fascinating relationship between networks and hierarchies throughout history, and how they’ve influenced global power dynamics. Ferguson argues that while hierarchies, symbolized by the tower, have been the traditional structures of power, networks, represented by the square, have played an equally important role in shaping events and societal changes.

What makes this book engaging is Ferguson’s knack for blending historical examples with modern analysis. He takes us through the impact of the printing press, the Enlightenment, and the spread of revolutionary ideas, showing how networks of intellectuals and activists often challenged and disrupted established hierarchies. This journey through history is paired with a look at modern networks, like social media platforms and global terrorist organizations, emphasizing their ability to shake up traditional power structures.

One of the book’s biggest strengths is its wide-ranging scope. Ferguson covers everything from the Medici’s banking network in Renaissance Florence to the internet’s influence on today’s politics. This broad approach gives readers a solid grasp of how networks have always been at work behind the scenes. Plus, Ferguson’s writing is both scholarly and engaging, making complex ideas easy to digest and keeping you hooked throughout.

However, the book isn’t without its flaws. The sheer breadth of topics sometimes means that certain events and figures don’t get as much detail as they deserve. You might find yourself wanting a deeper dive into some areas. Also, Ferguson’s strong focus on networks can sometimes overshadow the enduring influence of hierarchies, creating a bit of an imbalance in the narrative.

Overall, The Square and the Tower is a thought-provoking and informative read that sheds light on the dynamic between networks and hierarchies. Despite a few areas that could use more depth and occasional imbalances, Ferguson effectively highlights the crucial role of networks in shaping history and contemporary global power structures. It’s a particularly relevant read for anyone interested in understanding the complexities of power, both in the past and in the present day.

This book is so boring, I have no other words for it. I ended up skim reading most of it just so that it would end.

This was an enjoyable read and I would recommend it. thanks for letting me have an advance copy. I'm new to this author.

Fascinating and intriguing. Learnt a lot from reading this book. Thank you for letting me review this book and I have given it an unbiased review.

In a world of institionalised misandry where the opinions of white men is not wanted, Ferguson is often treated like a pariah but here we have a well researched and informative book that deserves to be read. Ignore him at your peril.

A very interesting and thought-provoking look at the world. I'm not entirely sure I'm convinced by the arguments, but I definitely enjoyed reading about them. A very well-researched and written book.

Fulll disclosure: I didn't manage to finish this because after becoming a little disillusioned early on about whether I was going to learn anything ground-breaking, I looked up some reviews which reinforced my sense that while some of Niall Ferguson's ideas were pretty interesting, it wasn't going to say anything very new that I hadn't already come across simplified versions of in a Guardian Long-Read. That said, it does provide you with a feeling that you'll have some fascinating tidbits to share over a drink or two with friends next weekend, before you inevitably forget pertinent factual detail :)

A systematic categorization of power, hierarchies and networks in history. Not really an afternoon read since it examples, in a rushed manner, events and periods of history. Some even look complete obsolete and unnecessary to mention in this book. Sometimes it has a pseudo scientific feel, which to me does not feel right.

Never-the-less in explores and explains some historical events and puts them in another context, of course the writers contest…

I was excited to read the book but it turned out in the end that it went into completely different direction from what I expected. It was also boring in some parts and I found much better things to do. I actually gave up on the book eventually as I thought I have book that I'll actually enjoy to read.

I really didn't get on with this. I started off being really interested, but then it petered off a bit and I lost interest and had trouble finding the time and energy to go back to it. And when I did I spotted a big ole factual inaccuracy that undermined my faith in the rest of the book (which I hope has been fixe in the actual proper version). So, although I can see that other people really liked it, it didn't do anything for me at all.

It was ok i guess. It took me absolutely ages to trawl through it because i constantly lost interest and found something better to do.

The square and tower goes into detail about the history of networks and there is a lot of research that has been done by Fergusson in writing this book.

I found some of the history detailed in this book to be really interesting and it was certainly what I didn’t know. I did however lose a bit of interest into the second half where it didn’t keep me as captivated.

This book isn't an easy read and I struggled to finish it. Probably needs someone cleverer than I am to do justice to the ideas and thoughts it presents.

I really struggled to grasp this and ended up quitting 5% through, I just needed lighter reading. The bits that I did read felt a bit too much like a dissertation, and ultimately, it wasn’t the right match for me. Ferguson certainly has the footnotes to show he has done his research; unfortunately, despite having quite an academic background myself, I’m not the right reader for this kind of material.

I originally thought this book would be super interesting to read, and I believe it will be amazing for the right person. Sadly, that person is not me – purely because of my own inability to understand the topic! Although I haven't read a lot of this book, I'm sure it is actually very interesting and amazing.

A really interesting look at the current phenomenon of social networks. A historical look that proves that these are not a new thing and are embedded in all our history. A must read for all of those who want to know where we've come from and it might even help understand what is next for social networks.

Absolutely Fascinating. Niall Ferguson enlightens us again with a different perspective. Read and be educated.
Meticulously researched, this book provides readers with food for thought as the author, celebrated historian Neill Ferguson, makes the case that the structure of networks within society can influence historical events and come into conflict with hierarchies. Ferguson unveils a new approach with which to consider modern (and Ancient) history.
"The Square and the Tower" is a fascinating study. He explores the world we live in today and argues that society has always been more interlinked and networked than has previously been thought. He argues that over time the structure of society has swayed between networking and hierarchical forces. The nature of the networks which effect change are different and are often almost invisible. The reader learns so many interesting facts which, although we may vaguely be aware of them, are served to us on a plate. The book poses many questions and tries to answer them: e.g. how many connections separate any two people on the planet and how has that changed over time (if it has), how does a topic go "viral". These are but two examples. Niall Ferguson has produced a book which every Historian, or general reader, should read to gain knowledge of the forces, known and unknown, which are at work within society. It has been this way in all of civilised times Ferguson argues. And he supports his argument with detailed research and documented facts and studies. He deploys a multi-disciplined approach to the topic. Ferguson is a historian who thinks and writes "out of the box" and it is this which makes him so unpredictable and interesting.
A treat to read and essential for all history students aiming for a First.

Gripped me from page one but lost its grip of me very quickly. The opening was fascinating but, regrettably, the rest of the book was not. Perhaps I would have read on past 10% if the Kindle formatting had been better rather than confusing due to the haphazard placement of "notes" and the lack of differentiation by not offering a different point size for those "notes".

I went to a lecture given by Niall Ferguson when I was at university and he was known for his strong opinions back then, so I was interested in seeing how this came across in prose. "The Square and the Tower" is an interesting read, albeit hard work at times, particularly since I received an advanced review copy (with no obligation to review) that had some formatting issues that made reading it on Kindle challenging at times. Still, it was interesting reading his analysis of networks vs hierarchies and the impact they've had throughout history. The text is a little all over the place - having chosen a massive subject, Ferguson then goes all round the world as he gradually moves forward in history, so it can be a bit disjointed, although there were some fascinating anecdotes along the way. Nevertheless, it provides an unusual point of view, looking at history from an angle rarely used, and contributes to a deeper understanding of how the world works and how people interact with each other to great effect. Possibly more of a curiosity than a seminal text, "The Square and the Tower" is still recommended reading for anyone who wants to further their understandings of how networks shape society.

A book looking at history through the glasses of hierarchies and networks, this is at once fascinating, engrossing and unsatisfying. Ferguson does spins a god yarn and jumps around history sprinkling interesting facts here and there and yet in the end it doesn't really seem to coherently arrive anywhere. I finished the book feeling he had not even persuaded himself he'd accomplished what he's set out to. There is some great stuff within all the same.