What is an academic experience, project, class or book that has influenced or inspired you?
The things that motivate our life's path are often only clear in retrospect. But on occasion there are those singular moments that light a fire. For me, an amazing number of those moments come with my nose buried in a book-in a coffee house, on a beach, in an airport. Something crystallizes.
I remember clearly my summer holidays two years ago at Thailand, picking up Niall Ferguson's War of the World : History's Age of Hatred. The book is a moral analysis of the military-industrial slaughter of the 20th century that poses the big question: Why was it that "the hundred years after 1900 were without question the bloodiest century in modern history"? Hatred may be a strong word, but there isn't a word more apt to describe what has happened across the world in the past century. With modern weaponry, killing has become more efficient then ever. You may have thought that we have progressed morally as well as economically and scientifically. Well this book shows that we haven't progressed at all.
As a history student, I know that prejudice and discrimination would inevitably lead to hatred and conflict. Racism is rampant throughout much of the world and ethnic conflicts are more widespread then ever. The world can only progress if conflict is resolved, and acceptance of different races and cultures is the key. Education plays a huge role in this as I believe that only through knowledge will people be more tolerant of others. Intolerance is bred through fear. With an education at Brown, I hope to be able to understand how such hatred could be resolved.
After finishing this book, I realized that history wasn't just the study of past events; it was the study of people, of human beings. The study of individuals who changed the course of history and of masses that were swept along with time. I could easily understand and empathize with the victims in this book. Despite never having had a gun pointed at my head, I could imagine the terror and the pain they felt. On the other hand, I did not understand how so many people could have acted the way they did. How was it that people simply did not care about others? Was it true then, that during moments of crisis, humans regress back into beasts? At that moment, I didn't just want to study history. I desperately wanted to study history.
It is said that good books raise more questions then it answers. My dream is enter Brown and ultimately be able to answer these questions.
Any comments?
Feedback is always welcome =)
Deadlines tonite so I better send it fast.
"I read War over coffee at a Starbucks in Bangkok whilst waiting for my family to finish shopping. It was at that moment of time that I realized that history wasn't the study of past events; it was the study of people, of human beings. The study of individuals who changed the course of history and of masses that were swept along with time."
i don't really see the link between the first sentence and the the second sentence. if there is a link, you may want to make it clearer. if there isn't, you may want to consider whether you want to delete the first sentence. anw, it sounds a bit awkward to me.
I think this is a great essay! It shows that you are really passionate about your intended course of study and I think that that truth will shine through when the admissions board reads your essay.
HAHA wow, mine is WAY longer and definitely not as captivating!!
The only thing I suggest is switching the order here: I remember clearly to I clearly remember... other than that, Good Luck
=]
The things that motivate our life's paths are often only clear in retrospect.
I remember clearly my summer holiday two years ago at Thailand, picking up Niall Ferguson's War of the World : History's Age of Hatred.
Hatred may be a strong word, but there isn't a word more apt to describe what has happened around the world in the past century.
With modern weaponry, killing has become more efficient then ever. You may have thought that we have progressed morally as well as economically and scientifically. Well this book shows that we haven't progressed at all.
This is really strong, awesome. I'm buying the book tomorrow.
As a history student, I know that prejudice and discrimination will inevitably lead to hatred and conflict.
At that moment, I didn't just want to study history. I desperately wanted to study history.
(this may be the only key to making the future less violent, and wouldn't you think we'd have learned from our mistakes? It makes me feel ashamed to be an american, (and I will not capitalize that as long as Bush is in office), when I think of all the bloody massacres taking place all over the world, that don't even make it into the papers. The little massacres that have taken place for things like keeping the prices of coffee beans and bananas down, it makes me sick. We are the playground bullies, taking what we want when we want it. The U.S. is run by greedy murderers. I'm not suggesting you write this, just venting my opinion. Your essay is great and it struck a nerve:(
It is said that good books raise more questions then it answers. My dream is to enter Brown and ultimately be able to answer these questions.
This is an amazing essay, and Brown will be lucky to have you.
Good luck in school, though I don't feel you'll need much luck:)
Good luck
Thanks so much.
Good luck to u guys as well, just submitted it
