Soldiers of the American Revolution fought that 18th century war with heavy muskets. In the early 20th century, we kids fought it every Fourth of July not only with exploding powder and shimmering flares, but with all of our senses.

Ragtime was a fanfare for the 20th century.

The Futurists were an art movement in the early 20th century which basically glorified machines and the Industrial Revolution.

As in the early 20th century, the elemental forces of globalisation have unravelled broad solidarities and loyalties.

The French Revolution was a kind of 21st-century moment in the heart of the 18th century - and Alex Dumas, outstanding though he was, could never have risen the way he did if not for that. The French Revolution was the American Revolution on steroids.

Sex is the ersatz or substitute religion of the 20th Century.