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A Little History of the World

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A Little History of the World

By: E. H. Gombrich
Narrated by: Ralph Cosham
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About this listen

In 1935, with a doctorate in art history and no prospect of a job, twenty-six-year-old Ernst Gombrich was invited to attempt a history of the world for younger readers. Amazingly, he completed the task in an intense six weeks, and Eine kurze Weltgeschichte für junge Leser was published in Vienna to immediate success. It is now an international bestseller and available in almost thirty languages across the world.

In forty concise chapters, Gombrich tells the story of man from the Stone Age to the atomic bomb. In between emerges a colorful picture of wars and conquests, grand works of art, and the spread and limitations of science. This is a text dominated not by dates and facts but by the sweep of mankind’s experience across the centuries, a guide to humanity’s achievements and an acute witness to its frailties. The product of a generous and humane sensibility, this timeless account makes intelligible the full span of human history.

©1985 DuMont Literatur und Kunst Verlag GmbH und Co. KG, Cologne, Germany. English translation 2005 Leonie Gombrich (P)2006 Blackstone Audio Inc. History & Culture Middle Ages War Heartfelt Africa Imperialism Ancient History Crusade Interwar Period

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Critic reviews

"A lovely, lively historical survey....A fine conception and summarizing of the world's checkered past for young and old." (Kirkus Reviews)
"A remarkable book, written in an amiable, conversational style....This resurrected history deserves reading for all its delights." (The New York Times)
All stars
Most relevant
In my opinion, it should be required reading. this gives a brilliant overview of history, and does it in such an easy to digest way. I am not a child, and I think it is ideal for all ages.

wonderful!

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This was originally written in 1936 for Austrian school children, but was updated for English readers in the 2000s so it includes one chapter at the end mentioning a little of WWII, the Holocaust and the Atomic Bomb. You dont need to be a 1930s Austrian school child to enjoy this; I'm 40, English, with a history degree, and found it interesting and entertaining.

It is quite focused on mainland Europe despite the title. The middle and far east are covered during antiquity and the historical development of the major religions but as time rolls on it becomes much more geographically focused and brings in worldwide history only where it pertains to Europe. I don't mind this perspective; any history of the world that fits into 9 and a half hours would need a thread to bind it together, and Gombrich kept it relevant to his target audience.

I feel a bit mean criticising a book like this, but with space at such a premium I did find Gombrich's selection of stories to focus on a little parochial at times. For example, Americans may be shocked to find their Revolution reduced to a single paragraph. I personally wouldn't have prioritised the story of Gustav of Sweden over such a significant and adventurous figure like George Washington myself.

European perpetrated atrocities are acknowledged and not pretended away. Generally speaking, the darker, brutal side of history is written in a way suitable for children.

All in all, this is a fairly fun history summary book, concentrating on interesting stories from a European perspective, and considering it was originally written in about 6 weeks, a rather brilliant piece of work.

Tour of the World, from a European Perspective

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A well presented 'little history' the tone of the children's book is maintained throughout and does not at all detract from the journey though time the listener is taken on.
There are of course a few over simplifications and areas where the author gives opinions - but again these just add to the charm of the book.
A great listen for all ages.

Thoroughly Enjoyable

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I thought this book very informative and have learnt many things I didn’t know except of course man’s inhumanity to man in the search for power, that unfortunately never ends.
The narration was excellent.

Excellent book

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Great summary of all history (not pre-historic times). Wrote with enough of a human touch that it could of been my Grandad telling me as a kid to teach me about life. Listened to it in a couple o of sessions, and I'm sure this is one I will re-listen to.

really enjoyed

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