Apocalyptic Politics

“Martyn Whittock’s new book offers an insightful, timely, and provocative account of some of the most powerful ideas shaping modern politics—and politics through the ages. Essential reading for scholars, journalists, and anyone who wants to understand end-of-the-world views.”


—Crawford Gribben, Queen’s University Belfast





“Here is a fascinating journey across religious and political borders tracing apocalyptic belief and its powerful political implications past and present. A book not to be missed.”


—Dan Cohn-Sherbok, University of Wales, emeritus





“Martyn Whittock has produced a book that really does fall into the ‘must read’ category. If you want to know how millenarian religious and political thinking has shaped movements from Trumpism to Russian nationalism and influenced cultures as diverse as contemporary ISIS and nineteenth-century China, you should get hold of this book.”


—Pete Broadbent, former bishop of Willesden





“We live in confusing times. That much is certain. Yet, Apocalyptic Politics reminds us that it was ever thus. Today, the threats may look different—climate catastrophe, nuclear conflict, economic meltdown, etc.—but the sense of the world turning on its head is as old as time. It is into this turbulent context that eschatology speaks. . . . Whittock has struck on a rich seam of socio-political analysis that is as revelatory as it is refreshing.”


—Oliver Balch, journalist, and author of Viva South America! and India Rising