Eric Hobsbawm's 'The Age of Extremes: The Short Twentieth Century, 1914–1991' is a monumental historical analysis covering the period from the outbreak of World War I to the collapse of the Soviet Union. Hobsbawm, one of the most influential historians of the 20th century, critically examines the major global developments, including two world wars, the rise and fall of communism, the Cold War, and profound social and cultural transformations. He offers a comprehensive, deeply insightful, and often provocative narrative that challenges conventional interpretations of this pivotal era, making it an essential read for understanding modern history.