Ignorance: A Global History 

In today’s hyperconnected information-flooded world, are we really less ignorant than our ancestors? Ignorance: A Global History is a thought-provoking journey through the ages, challenging the assumption of progress in knowledge. From the Renaissance to the present, each age believed itself more enlightened, yet Peter Burke probes the shadows of our collective understanding.  

Unveiling stories of ignorance in religion, science, war, politics, business, and catastrophes, the author illuminates the nuanced nature of ignorance—be it genuine, feigned, conscious, or unconscious. The narrative delves into pivotal moments, such as the post-World War I map and contemporary dilemmas like climate change denial. The result is a lively exploration of human knowledge and the importance of recognising its limits.