It's particularly useful in emphasizing aspects of European history that many other short histories of the world gloss over or rush through. But if you go into it knowing what it is, it's a gem of a book, presenting the history of those areas of the world in a lucid, engaging, and graceful manner.
There's a bit about India and China, mostly in the context of religious history (Hinduism, Buddhism, and Confucianism) but it's mostly about the Mediterranean and western and northern Europe. It's true, as others have said here, that this is mainly a history of the WESTERN world. You could criticise the book from a more modern ‘progressive’ reading of the book and indicate how it ignores smaller states / peoples and minimises the role of minorities within human history but the book is a history of the entirety of civilisation so a line has to be drawn somewhere and Gombrich does a great job at a grand overview I can hardly think of a more moral book for children. The book never flinches from the horrors of human history or the crimes of colonialism, capitalism or human greed 1 despite this it stands to challenge extremism, fanaticism and hate and argues for common decency and respect. However it’s his narrative that really sells the book, positive, optimistic and humanising. He brings the past to life despite having to skip through large periods of time and complex situations, without feeling like he hasn’t done a time period justice. Gombrich has a unique clarity in explaining ideas and providing a brief overview that’s invaluable in providing an overview of the chronology of history and linking different periods of time together.
An incredible read, simple, clear, balanced and humanising. I’ve bought the book for partners, my dad and various children within the family. He paints a colorful picture of wars and conquests of grand works of art of the advances and limitations of science of remarkable people and remarkable events, from Confucius to Catherine the Great to Winston Churchill, and from the invention of art to the destruction of the Berlin Wall.įor adults seeking a single-volume overview of world history, for students in search of a quick refresher course, or for families to read and learn from together, Gombrich’s Little History enchants and educates.I already own a copy of the book and have done since it’s initial English publication. Gombrich vividly brings the full span of human experience on Earth to life, from the stone age to the atomic age. Rather than focusing on dry facts and dates, E.
So begins A Little History of the World, an engaging and lively book written for readers both young and old. Gombrich’s sweeping history of the world, for the curious of all agesĪll stories begin with ‘Once upon a time.’ And that’s just what this story is all about: what happened, once upon a time.
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