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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 Imperialism Africa Ancient History

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
The story is well written and the reader also great. Listened in the one sitting

Really well done

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This might be the best world history book that I have read. Compared to Bill Bryson, this book focuses more on civilisations, religions, leaders and wars of the world. There are so much details that we could grasp in such one book. A must read and collected for both audio and printed versions.

Best world history book

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very great I loved it it was so good and very nice and enjoyable

brilliant writing wonderful narration I liked Au

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This is fabulous, a book written by an Austrian born Art Historian for children.
So full of facts that will tickle the ears of those with a thirst for knowledge of humanity being good, bad, ugly and gracious.
A pleasing journey from 3500AD to 1930’s via the civilized barbarianism of a Euro-centric stance.
Loved it, thank you E H Gombrich :-)

Euro-centric history for children :-)

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Wonderful and entertaining account of how our world and our ancestors have changed and evolved from antiquity to modern times.

Great story of the World.

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