A History of the End of the World (Hardback)
The Apocalypse in Popular Culture
Imprint: Pen & Sword History
Pages: 208
Illustrations: 32 black and white illustrations
ISBN: 9781399017381
Published: 26th January 2026
(click here for international delivery rates)
Order within the next 10 hours, 55 minutes to get your order processed the next working day!
Need a currency converter? Check XE.com for live rates
| Other formats available | Price |
|---|---|
| A History of the End of the World eBook (3.4 MB) Add to Basket | £14.99 |
People have always imagined that human history has an end point. The way this has been imagined has varied according to time, place, and culture. In medieval England people lived in expectation of the Biblical Day of Judgment, when the world would end and people would be judged by God according to their sins. In art and literature from the early modern period onwards, the most frightening scenes from the Bible were depicted to warn people of the dangers of sin. As the power of the church waned and society became more secular, “new” threats emerged such as pandemics and otherworldly beings which threatened to destroy humanity, and whose tales were told time and again in popular culture. This book examines stories of the apocalypse in popular culture from the medieval period to the twenty-first century; it is a history of the end of the world.
Register or Login now to post a review!
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
NetGalley, Mike Jacobs
Pretty neat book. It goes into all the various ways humans have envisioned the end of the world. From religion based end times to zombie outbreaks.
The second half deals with more recent apocalypse, grouped thematically. This is where the author really shines and the chapter format makes an interesting way of viewing trends and continuities in various forms. The star of this book is the zombie chapter that blends history and popular culture in a truly compelling and engaging way.
NetGalley, Anne Holdorph
About Stephen Basdeo
Stephen Basdeo is a historian and the author of several history books and academic journal articles. He has also co-edited and published transcriptions of primary sources for academic publishers.
Pen and Sword Books
About Us | Contact Us | Delivery Information | Privacy Policy | Cookies | Affiliates | Terms and Conditions | Backlist | Mailing List | Reward Scheme | Review Request
© Pen and Sword Books Limited 2026. Registered in England No. 2527258.
Registered Office: 47 Church Street, Barnsley, S70 2AS.