This overview walks where others tread slowly. It is a true overview that hits the highlights of when history meets philosophy, especially those times where it resulted in war. War that resulted in the American Revolution, war that resulted in the English Civil War and War that resulted in Napoleon's march across Europe.
Now Bronowski and Mazlich do not sit on the sidelines. They believe in freedom of speech and right to dissent. They, more than most modern historical writers, gives a perspective and does not apologize for it. They critique by asserting certain philosophies lead to tyranny. Hegel's love of Napoleaon leads to an intellectual movement that act as apologists for tyranny , Rousseau's beliefs in a rule by the "general will" with no constitutional rights leads to the French Revolution's "reign of terror" and Cromwell's "cruel necessity" causes a fight for freedom to become a military dictatorship.
Brownowski was born in Poland, moved to Germany and then ended up in the UK. Many of his relatives were killed in Nazi concentration camps. He worked developing bombing mathematics in the UK during WW II and was part of a group of scientists who studied the effects of the Atomic bomb in Japan. He did not sit on the sidelines of history but was an engaged intellectual.
This is a book for the ruled as much as the rulers. It will certainly make you think when the next news report of war or controversy crosses your vision.