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Everything Must Go

The Stories We Tell About the End of the World

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Everything Must Go

By: Dorian Lynskey
Narrated by: Dorian Lynskey
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About this listen

A brilliantly original exploration of our obsession with the end of the world, from Mary Shelley’s The Last Man to the Manic Street Preachers’ Everything Must Go.

'Brilliant, scholarly, sharp and witty’ – Adam Rutherford, author of A Brief History of Everyone Who Ever Lived

'Will make you happy to be alive and reading – until the lights go out . . . Brilliant' – The Spectator

For two millennia, Christians have anticipated the end of the world, haunted by the apocalyptic visions of the Book of Revelation. But over the past two centuries, these dark fantasies have given way to secular stories of how the world, our planet, or our species (or all of the above) might be annihilated.

In Everything Must Go – a cultural history of the modern world that weaves together politics, history, science, high and popular culture – Dorian Lynskey explores the endings that we have read, listened to, or watched, while perched on the edge of our seats with eyes wide, (mostly) loving every moment.

Whether with visions of destruction by nuclear holocaust or a mighty collision with a meteor, a devastating epidemic or a violent takeover by robots, why do we like to scare ourselves, and why do we keep coming back for more?

Deeply illuminating about our past, our present and – given the revelation that the end of the world has seemingly always been nigh – hopeful about our future, Everything Must Go will grip you from beginning to, well, end.

'I was blown away by this book' – Sathnam Sanghera, author of Empireland

'Impossibly epic, brain-expanding, life-affirming and profound' – Ian Dunt, author of How Westminster Works . . . and Why It Doesn't

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2024 Dorian Lynskey (P)2024 Macmillan Publishers International Limited
Authors Literary History & Criticism Fiction

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What listeners say about Everything Must Go

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An upbeat approach to the consideration and evaluation of many disparate themes and histories.

The sweeping summary and connection between thematic elements is pleasing in its coherence and extremely informative. Cultural references abound and contextualisation is thought through well in my view.

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authoritative and positive

surprisingly uplifting at the end, very thorough research and well set out with an accessible thread to the main message.

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Such a fascinating book.

Such a fascinating wealth of sources explored, to illuminate the cultural touchstones of how people express our darkest thoughts. one of the best non-fiction books I've read. Dorian is great.

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The patterns of dooming

Excellent history of doom and gloom, with comedic and profound insights. Entertaining listen and nurturing thinking beyond.

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... and I feel fine

I'm a big fan of Dorian's other books and his podcast work, so I was prepared to take on this anxiety inducing subject with him. In fact, he approaches this history of world endings with his usual humour and optimism. The whole thing is, actually, very heartening. That end of the world narratives can be useful, or can sabotage us - so let's make it the former and work on solutions. And stay positive out there.

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Fabulous

A great book, read by the author. Excellently researched and engaging even considering it's length.

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How people are fascinated by an apocalypse

Loved the connections to books and films. How it made you understand why people always are attracted to end of the world scenarios

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A fascinating.very enjoyable. Mighty book

This is such a fab comprehensive book. It’s very enjoyable always interesting really well paced and structured . If you ,like me were a slightly gloomy teen in the eighties with a fascination with the apocalypse you will love it. It’s so packed with funny stuff too. I’m going to have to listen to it a few times .and it’s great that Dorian himself is narrating . His passion really comes across as does a rye twinkle of humour .and personality…I now have about a thousand books to read that he references. Will probably take me till the end of the world.

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Excellent!

A great listen! Really enjoyed the range, structure, and depth of this book. I like Dorian’s writing and narration style.

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Fantastic. Must for SciFi fans.

As good as I had hoped. I like Dorian as a broadcaster and this is the first of his books I have read.
This is a fantastic read for any Sci-Fi fan and I may revisit a few films and books following this. Narration also excellent. Got through this in two days I was so hooked.

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