Synopses & Reviews
In 1935, with a doctorate in art history and no prospect of a job, the 26-year-old Ernst Gombrich was invited by a publishing acquaintance 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, and is now available in seventeen languages across the world.Toward the end of his long life, Gombrich embarked upon a revision and, at last, an English translation. A Little History of the World presents his lively and involving history to English-language readers for the first time. Superbly designed and freshly illustrated, this is a book to be savored and collected.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 mankinds experience across the centuries, a guide to humanitys 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.
Review
andquot;Imagine the full story of human habitation on our planet being told in such flowing prose that you want to read it out loud. If you can't imagine that, read A Little History of the World and experience it!andquot;andmdash;Patricia S. Schroeder, Presidentand#160;and CEO of the Association of American Publishers and Former U.S. Representative from Coloradoand#160;
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“The true fairy tale of the evolution of mankind.”
Die Zeit -- Choice
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“This ‘little history has aged amazingly well.”
-- Die Zeit
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"Witty, clear-eyed and humane, tells the sweeping story of humankind in 40 short and fascinating chapters . . ." Susie Wilde, The News & Observer -- New York Times Book Review
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"Gombrich accomplishes what many university-level Western Civilization classes cannota riveting account of events that shaped the world from the Stone Age to the 1930s, illustrating the relevance of history to current events. Teachers and schools should add this to their reading lists."Claire Martin,
The Denver Post
-- First Things
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"Magical, transporting. . . . A childrens history that adults will want to sneak off with and read on the sly."VeryShortList.com
-- Mary Ann Gwinn - Seattle Times
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"A remarkable book, written in an amiable, conversational style, effortlessly explaining, without condescension, difficult matters like the achievements of Charlemagne, the monetary system of medieval Europe and the ideas of the Enlightenment. . . . This resurrected history deserves reading for all its delights."and#8212;Edward Rothstein, New York Times
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"In simple, vivid prose, Gombrich surveys the human past from pre-history to his own time. . . . Lucky children will have this book read to them. Intelligent adults will read it for themselves and regain contact with the spirit of European humanism at its best."and#8212;Anthony Grafton, Wall Street Journal
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"His enthusiasm for his subject is irresistible... With Gombrich's Little History, at last available in English there will be many generations of future historians who will attribute to it their lifelong passion for history - and for truth."and#8212;Lisa Jardine, The Times
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"A brilliant piece of narrative, splendidly organised, told with an energyand#160;and confidence that are enormously attractive, and suffused with all theand#160;humanity and generosityand#160;of spirit that Gombrich's thousands of admirers came to cherish during hisand#160;long and richly productive life. It's a wonderful surprise: irresistible, inand#160;fact."and#8212;Philip Pullman
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"Christmas gift of the year is surely . . . A Little History of the World. This is a magical work for children. . . . Perfect for bedrime reading."and#8212;John Banville, Irish Times
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"... ostensibly a book for children, designed to present a chronology of world history, but it's a delight for all ages. The pages sparkle with the learned author's wit and wisdom - and reading them, one feels as if Gombrich, one of the greatest ever art historians, is guiding one through time with a grandfatherly gleam in his eye."and#8212;Ben Schott, The Observer
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"A masterpiece of nonfiction writing for children. It is a wry and charming book, perfectly suited to the capacities of a 10-year-old, but also remarkably free of condescension. An adult can read it with pleasure. And, indeed, with instruction."and#8212;Scott McLemee, Newsday
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"I am going to buy ten copies of this book and give it to my ten favourite children... this is a book which teaches what it is to be civilised by its very tone, which is one of gentleness, curiosity and erudition."and#8212;A.N. Wilson, Times Literary Supplement
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"... a marvellous antidote to history without chronology: the whole experience of human history, from prehistory to the Second World War, compressed into a flowing narrative... [Gombrich] excels in creating a sense of the continuities of history - the ways in which human nature has not budged over the millenium, and the smallness of the differences between people. A delight."and#8212;Robert Hanks, The Daily Telegraph
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and#8220;Gombrich opens with the most magical definition of history I have ever read. . . . Tolerance, reason and humanity . . . suffuse every page of the Little History.and#8221;and#8212;Amanda Vickery, Guardian Review
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"... the main body of the book retains an irresistible, boyish energy and enthusiasm... Here, in this little book are answers to many of the questions you never dared to ask."and#8212;Margaret Drabble, New Statesman
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"... an engrossing kaleidoscopic account of global history from the ancient Egyptians to the Treaty of Versailles."and#8212;Tristram Hunt, BBC History Magazine
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"A Little History of the World by E.H. Gombrich is a bedtime treat to share with my two children and proof that brilliance and perspicacity needn't be stuffy."and#8212;Bettany Hughes, The Times
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"It certainly couldn't be done more agreeably:.. a perfect birthday present for a child with an enquiring mind. I wish it had been available when I was young."and#8212;Allan Massie, Literary Review
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“Delightful…charming.”—PopMatters Allan Massie - Literary Review
Review
and#8220;Sumptuously illustrated. . . . Perfect for reading to alert and curious children, but itand#8217;s even better as a secret pleasure, read alone, with no children in sight.and#8221;and#8212;Philip Kennicott,and#160;Washington Post
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"[A] brisk, clear-eyed trot through the centuries."and#8212;Tom Beer, Maine Sunday Telegram
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"Brilliant, irresistible: a wonderful surprise."—Philip Pullman The Washington Post
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and#160;andquot;A timeless and engaging narrative of the human race.andquot;andmdash;Booklist
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Visit the Little History website. http://littlehistory.org
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"... a joyful book..."—Richard Aldous, Irish Times Bettany Hughes - The Times
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"Written for children, this book is a source of entertainment and revision for adults too. Devoid of pretension and condescension it demonstrates how fluid communication between the generations can be. Without resorting to technical jargon or a raft of dates Gombrich has produced a text that appeals to all ages and inspires further reading… Entertaining, information and enlightening, it will send the reader on a voyage of (re)discovery of the great story of our world."—Elizabeth Reid, Kensington Magazine Allan Massie - Literary Review
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“This is a lovely book which would be a fine addition to any bookshelf. Or better still, plonked into the lap of the nearest child.”—Trevor Heaton, Eastern Daily Express (Saturday Magazine) Elizabeth Reid - Kensington Magazine
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"Brilliant, irresistible: a wonderful surprise."and#8212;Philip Pullmanandnbsp;
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and#8220;Delightfuland#8230;charming.and#8221;and#8212;PopMatters
Synopsis
The international bestseller available in English for the first time: E. H. Gombrichs world history for the curious of all ages...
Synopsis
A glorious illustrated edition of the international bestseller
Synopsis
E. H. Gombrich's
Little History of the World, though written in 1935, has become one of the treasures of historical writing since its first publication in English in 2005. The Yale edition alone has now sold over half a million copies, and the book is available worldwide in almost thirty languages.
Gombrich was of course the best-known art historian of his time, and his text suggests illustrations on every page. This illustrated edition of the Little History brings together the pellucid humanity of his narrative with the images that may well have been in his mind's eye as he wrote the book. The two hundred illustrationsand#8212;most of them in full colorand#8212;are not simple embellishments, though they are beautiful. They emerge from the text, enrich the author's intention, and deepen the pleasure of reading this remarkable work.
For this edition the text is reset in a spacious format, flowing around illustrations that range from paintings to line drawings, emblems, motifs, and symbols. The book incorporates freshly drawn maps, a revised preface, and a new index.
Blending high-grade design, fine paper, and classic binding, this is both a sumptuous gift book and an enhanced edition of a timeless account of human history.
About the Author
Praise for A Little History of the World, by E. H. Gombrich
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and#8220;Brilliant, irresistible; a wonderful surprise.and#8221;and#8212;Philip Pullman
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and#8220;A remarkable book, written in an amiable, conversational style, effortlessly explaining, without condescension, difficult matters like the achievements of Charlemagne, the monetary system of medieval Europe and the ideas of the Enlightenment. . . . This resurrected history deserves reading for all its delights.and#8221;and#8212;Edward Rothstein, New York Times
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and#8220;In simple, vivid prose, Gombrich surveys the human past from pre-history to his own time. . . . Lucky children will have this book read to them. Intelligent adults will read it for themselves and regain contact with the spirit of European humanism at its best.and#8221;and#8212;Anthony Grafton, Wall Street Journal
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and#8220;A timeless and engaging narrative of the human race.and#8221;and#8212;Booklist
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and#8220;This Little Book . . . is a thing of ripping yarns told at a rattling pace. . . . Had I a dozen grandchildren (of any age) I'd order two dozen copies, one for the children, the other for their parents. Do not, from its title, underestimate this book.and#8221;and#8212;Brian Sewell, Evening Standard
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and#8220;A magical work.and#8221;and#8212;John Banville, Irish Times
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and#8220;A lovely, lively historical survey. . . . A fine conception and summarizing of the world's checkered past for young and old.and#8221;and#8212;Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
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and#8220;Retains an irresistible, boyish energy and enthusiasm. . . . Here, in this little book, are answers to many of the questions you never dared to ask.and#8221;and#8212;Margaret Drabble, New Statesman
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A 2006 Book Sense Highlight Best Book of the Year
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Named a Favorite Book of 2005 by the Los Angeles Times