In 1989, Francis Fukuyama began an explosive debate about the future of the world in the post-Cold War era with an article entitled The End of History and the Last Man . This seminal book expands on his original work to address the fundamental and far-reaching themes of the new millennium. The result is nothing short of an historical and philosophical primer for the onslaught of the 21st century. 'In the mastery and scope of its case, The End of History and the Last Man may be seen as the first book of the post-Marxist millennium - the first work fully to fathom the depth and range of the changes now sweeping through the world' - George Gilder, the Washington Post .