Synopses & Reviews
From the evolution of
Homo sapiens to the exploration of space, the vast landscape of human history appears in J.M. Roberts's
History of the World. Deftly written and evocatively illustrated, this book offers an outstanding one-volume survey of the major events, developments, and personalities of the known past.
In a truly remarkable work of compression and synthesis, Roberts sweeps through thousands of years of history, weaving the stories of empires, arts, religion, economics, and science into his lucid narrative. Beginning with the early hominids, he swiftly and authoritatively brings the story up through the emergence of Mesopotamian civilizations and ancient Egypt. Here, too, is comprehensive coverage of the Indian and Chinese civilizations ("For two and a half thousand years," he points out, "there has been a Chinese nation using a Chinese language"), as well as developments in Africa and South America. Aided by photographs of key archaelogical finds (such as monumental Egyptian statues, Peruvian medallions, and Celtic jewelry), Roberts clearly explains the early arts, engineering, and religion. He also carefully ties in changing economics--such as trade routes and developments in agriculture and manufacturing--making clear their importance for the history of politics and changing societies. The story leaps ahead, through the Roman Empire, the explosive arrival of Islam, the rise and fall of samurai rule in Japan, the medieval kingdoms of sub-Saharan Africa, the Mongol conquests, and the early modern expansion of Europe across the globe. American independence, the French Revolution, the colonial empires, Japan's startling modernization, and the World Wars follow in turn, accompanied by discussions of scientific and technical breakthroughs.
With informative maps, photographs, and reproductions of important artwork (some in full color), Roberts clearly explains the impact of the key individuals and the major influences on history the world over, down to the era of an integrated global economy and the fall of the U.S.S.R. Vividly written and beautifull illustrated, History of the World offers the finest, most readable one-volume survey available today.
Review
"[A] landmark book...Highly readable...intelligently organized, insightful, and balanced." The Christian Science Monitor
Review
"At once entertaining and scholarly...a book as challenging as it is consistently absorbing." Christopher Hibbert
Synopsis
For many of its half a million readers around the globe, J.M. Roberts'
History of the World, is one of the pivotal works of our era, a book of extraordinary ambition, clarity, and style. It offers a substantial, authoritative narrative of world history following the central notion that human history is the story of change, a delibreate shaping of experience and environment. Roberts presents thoroughly engaging chapters devoted to transformative centers of human creativityfrom the earliest hominids to the startling global events of the 21st century. One of the elements that has made the book uniquely appealing is its powerful vision and voice. The view is personal even idiosyncratic in the sense that it is built around particular themes that shape the author's historical vision.
In The New History of the World, Roberts has completely revised his monumental work for the first time, taking into account the great range of discoveries that have altered our views on everything from early civilizations to post-Cold War globalism. The chapter on human history has been completely rewritten, addressing events as recent as the relationship between the Arab and Western worlds in the wake of the September 11 attack. In addition to the revisions, the book is now available in a readers' format perfect for a new generation of readers to open their minds to the great narrative of the human species.
Synopsis
In the New History of the World, Roberts has completely revised his monumental work for the first time, taking into account the great range of discoveries that have altered our views on everything from early civilizations to post-Cold War globalism. The chapter on human history has been completely rewritten, addressing events as recent as the relationship between the Arab and Western worlds in the wake of the September 11 attack. In addition to the revisions, the book is now available in a readers' format--perfect for a new generation of readers to open their minds to the great narrative of the human species.
Synopsis
When Oxford published J. M. Roberts's
History of the World last year, it was immediately acclaimed as a classic. Writing in
The Observer, A. J. P. Taylor called it "a stupendous achievement...the unrivalled world history of our day."
The Christian Science Monitor greeted it as a "landmark book....Highly readable...intelligently organized, insightful, and balanced." And
The Sunday Telegraph declared, "There is nothing better of its kind."
Now we proudly present the new, conveniently sized, and remarkably affordable Concise History of the World. Vividly written and beautifully illustrated, it brings the outstanding breadth of scholarship and international scope of the larger History of the World within the grasp of every home, school, and library. Completely up-to-date, comprehensive yet succinct, it accompanies readers on an amazing journey from the first appearance of the species Homo sapiens up to the bloodshed in the former Yugoslavia and the latest chapter in the exploration of space. Informative, beautifully rendered maps, photographs of key archaeological finds, and stunning reproductions of important artwork (some in full color) bring the past to life as Roberts surveys the major events, developments and personalities that have shaped the civilizations of the world.
From the arts, politics and religion to scientific and technical breakthroughs, Roberts tells the story of the growing power of humans to remake their world and control their own destiny. Effortlessly drawing together the great themes of civilization with details from everyday life, he brings readers face to face with the exciting, dramatic, often tragic story that is the history of the world.
Following in the international success of Roberts's History of the World, the highly readable Concise History of the World is an indispensable reference that will inform, enlighten, and entertain readers for many years to come.
Synopsis
In the New History of the World, Roberts has completely revised his monumental work for the first time, taking into account the great range of discoveries that have altered our views on everything from early civilizations to post-Cold War globalism. The chapter on human history has been
completely rewritten, addressing events as recent as the relationship between the Arab and Western worlds in the wake of the September 11 attack. In addition to the revisions, the book is now available in a readers' format--perfect for a new generation of readers to open their minds to the great
narrative of the human species.
About the Author
About the Author:
J.M. Roberts was, until his retirement in 1994, Warden at Merton College, Oxford University, and is the General Editor of
The Short Oxford History of the Modern World and
The New Oxford History of England.