SKU: 42818727930

The Square and the Tower: Networks and Power, from the Freemasons to Facebook

Sale price$15.30 Regular price$17.00
Save 10%

Pay in installments of $4.25 with ShopPay, AfterPay and Klarna

Shipping Estimate
USA
  • USA
  • CAN

Ships within 48 hours · Estimated delivery Aug 26 - Aug 31

Promo Codes Available:

For Your Every Summer RSVP, with Code: SUMMER15

Description

The Square and the Tower: Networks and Power, from the Freemasons to FacebookThe instant New York Times bestseller. A brilliant recasting of the turning points in world history, including the one we're living through, as a collision between old power hierarchies and new social networks. "Captivating and compelling." The New York Times "Niall Ferguson has again written a brilliant book In 400 pages you will have restocked your mind. Do it." The Wall Street Journal "The Square and the Tower, in addition to being provocative

The instant New York Times bestseller.

A brilliant recasting of the turning points in world history, including the one we're living through, as a collision between old power hierarchies and new social networks.

"Captivating and compelling." --The New York Times

"Niall Ferguson has again written a brilliant book...In 400 pages you will have restocked your mind. Do it." --The Wall Street Journal

"The Square and the Tower, in addition to being provocative history, may prove to be a bellwether work of the Internet Age." --Christian Science Monitor

Most history is hierarchical: it's about emperors, presidents, prime ministers and field marshals. It's about states, armies and corporations. It's about orders from on high. Even history "from below" is often about trade unions and workers' parties. But what if that's simply because hierarchical institutions create the archives that historians rely on? What if we are missing the informal, less well documented social networks that are the true sources of power and drivers of change?

The 21st century has been hailed as the Age of Networks. However, in The Square and the Tower, Niall Ferguson argues that networks have always been with us, from the structure of the brain to the food chain, from the family tree to freemasonry. Throughout history, hierarchies housed in high towers have claimed to rule, but often real power has resided in the networks in the town square below. For it is networks that tend to innovate. And it is through networks that revolutionary ideas can contagiously spread. Just because conspiracy theorists like to fantasize about such networks doesn't mean they are not real.

From the cults of ancient Rome to the dynasties of the Renaissance, from the founding fathers to Facebook, The Square and the Tower tells the story of the rise, fall and rise of networks, and shows how network theory--concepts such as clustering, degrees of separation, weak ties, contagions and phase transitions--can transform our understanding of both the past and the present.

Just as The Ascent of Money put Wall Street into historical perspective, so The Square and the Tower does the same for Silicon Valley. And it offers a bold prediction about which hierarchies will withstand this latest wave of network disruption--and which will be toppled.

Binding Type: Paperback
Publisher: Penguin Group
Published: 01/22/2019
ISBN: 9780735222939
Pages: 592
Weight: 1.20lbs
Size: 8.30h x 5.40w x 1.40d
Shipping Notes
  • Free Standard Shipping on $100+ Orders to the USA.
  • Except Preorder products are shipped in 48 hours.
  • Delivery to the USA:
  1. Standard Shipping : 3-10 business days
  • If time is of the essence, please consider selecting expedited delivery for faster service.
Exchange/Return Notes
  • We offer a 30-day return/exchange service after receiving.
  • Final sale items are not eligible for returns or exchanges.
  • To process your return/exchange, please contact us at [email protected]
  • Please click here for more details>>> Return & Exchange Policy
SKU: 42818727930

Discover Niche Categories That Outsell

Top-Converting Item to Boost Your Average Order

4.9 ★★★★★
Based on 11 reviews
Sort
Highest Rating
Newest First
Oldest First
Product Reviews
F
Verified Purchase
Frank A Phillips
Birmingham, US
★★★★★ 4
SO far so good, no issues yet
Size: 6.5 FT, Color: Black
Hate it's made out of cheap hardened plastic
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on May 7, 2026
J
Verified Purchase
J.A.
Cuba, US
★★★★★ 5
Fantastic power strip with tons of outlets!
Size: 6.5 FT, Color: Black
This surge protector power strip is amazing! With 22 AC outlets and 6 USB ports including USB-C, it's incredibly versatile for all my devices. The flat plug makes it easy to fit behind furniture and the 6.5-foot cord gives plenty of reach. The 1875W capacity handles everything with ease!
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on March 27, 2026
P
Verified Purchase
Pete A
Charlottesville, US
★★★★★ 5
22 outlets. Super easy to use. Extremely happy with purchase.
Size: 6.5 FT, Color: Black
22 outlets! I had 2 battery backups but, after 5 years, the battery died and could not be easily replaced. I moved all my plugs to one, easy to use strip. Lots of room for block plugs. Generous room between outlets. 3 USB C and 3 USB A outlets mean I can plug in chargers for my devices. Extremely happy with my purchase. Great company. Lots of choices from DEPOW but this one allowed me to plug in all my block plugs without covering other plugs. Great color. Extremely well made. Will purchase again. Generous 6.5 foot cord. My others had short 3 foot cords which barely reached.
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on November 12, 2025
M
Verified Purchase
Mickey Ryder
Natrona Heights, US
★★★★★ 5
Awesome!
Color: White and Black, Size: 15.7"
Nice sturdy shelves. Looks awesome on my walls.
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on May 19, 2026
N
Verified Purchase
norton
Massapequa, US
★★★★★ 5
Great for knick-knacks and toiletry items
Color: Dark Brown, Size: 15.7"
Perfect for the bathroom. I love that you can position the shelves in different arrangements. Sturdy enough for knick-knacks and toiletry items. Looks exactly as pictured.
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on May 27, 2026

recommand products