'Exceptionally clear and beautifully organised...the sheer brio of storytelling...irresistible' - Philip Pullamn. A new book by Sir Ernst Gombrich, author of the international bestsellers The Story of Art and Art & Illusion (among others), and Director of the Warburg Institute of the University of London 1959-1976, is clearly an event. In 1935, with a doctorate and no job, the 25 year-old Gombrich was invited by Walter Neurath (later founder of Thames and Hudson) to attempt a history of the world for younger readers. Written in an intense six weeks, Eine Kurze Weltgeshichte für Junge Leser was first published in Vienna the same year. An immediate success, it has since been translated into seventeen languages, tailored for the different markets. The original German edition was reissued in 1985 with an Epilogue bringing the story to the present, and Gombrich further revised it shortly before his death, aged 92, in 2001. The Little History, as it came to be known, has never been published in English until now. In forty chapters, Gombrich tells the story of man from the stone age to the atomic bomb. There emerges a colourful picture of wars and conquests, grand works of art, the spread and limitations of science, tribes evolving towards society. This is not a text dominated by dates and facts, but by the sweep of mankind's experience across the centuries, a guide to man's achievements and an acute witness to his frailties. What has made the Little History an international success? The key is its tone - completely clear, straightforward, relaxed, unpompous, humane - Gombrich makes immediate contact with the curious of all ages. It is the product of a pan-European sensibility, and is wholly free of nationalistic preoccupations. The broad sweep of mankind's history seems freshly intelligible when told in this profoundly generous spirit. The first English edition of this classic book is being produced by Yale to reflect its status as a timeless work to be collected and savoured: fine design and setting, printed on a high quality of paper, cloth binding, ribbon marker, and newly commissioned illustrations.
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'Conversational in style, as of a grandparent talking with a child, the story of humanity from prehistory is told.' --Peter Andrews, School Librarian, vol. 54 no. 2, Summer 2006
'...a perfect present for a child with an enquiring mind. I wish it had been available when I was young.' --Literary Review, September 2005
'Had I a dozen grandchildren...I'd order two dozen copies, one for the children, the other for their parents.' --Evening Standard, 26 September, 2005
'...a perfect present for a child with an enquiring mind. I wish it had been available when I was young.' --Literary Review, September 2005
'Had I a dozen grandchildren...I'd order two dozen copies, one for the children, the other for their parents.' --Evening Standard, 26 September, 2005
Review
"I love the new translation of Gombrich's classic history for children. Both entertaining and informative, it makes perfect bedtime reading."
--This text refers to the
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Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Back Cover
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
27 of 28 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Hardcover
Yale UP deserve congratulations from young and old readers alike for this beautifully produced and translated book. Written in the 1930s but only now translated into English it is vintage Gomnbrich - clear and concise and fascinating and thought aimed at younger readers will be enjoyed by adults too. And the compact size and gorgeous newly commissioned woodcuts all add to the joy that this book brings. Can't recommend it highly enough to anyone interested in Gombrich's writings or just looking for a wonderful short historical read.
20 of 21 people found the following review helpful
By Dublinia
Format:Hardcover
...there was one book you could turn to which would take you through the entirety of human history in an entertaining as well as educational manner. Well guess what: there is, and 'A Little History..' is it. Don't be dissuaded by the fact that this is nominally a children's book. Unless you have devoted years to the study of history, you will finish this book a more knowledgeable person than when you started.
And for those who are put off by the size of the text, the audio version is available and beautifully read by the author's grandson.
And for those who are put off by the size of the text, the audio version is available and beautifully read by the author's grandson.
59 of 64 people found the following review helpful
By Sydney
Format:Hardcover
I read this to see if it would be a suitable present for some friend's children, and wound up keeping it myself! You'd have to be one whiz at history not to learn a great deal from this book, it was great to have so many names that rang a vague bell finally put in context in such a concise and entertaining way. An excellent read, and one of the best-presented books in terms of binding and typography I've seen in a while.
The reviewer below who worried about the 'unrestrained paean to Marxism' clearly didn't read Gombrich's thoughtful and honest afterword, where he reviews his own opinions from over 50 years back and concludes that he was mistaken about the Soviet Union (to which he only devotes literally five lines which are not particularily opinionated) and too hard on industrialization. He also corrects his younger self on his orignal, parochial view of the Treaty of Versailles. I honour his candour in keeping the original lines in. In any case the idea that this book, with or without the afterword, is propaganda for ANY ideology is frankly absurd, and I would hate to see any reasonable person avoid the "Little History" from that mistaken impression.
Of course anyone will quarrel with the presentation of parts of history on which have an opinion-- personally I think he was rather too hard on Elizabeth I and rather too easy on the Chinese empire and the Aztecs! But that's the consequence of Gombrich's vivid storybook style, I think, and the fact that he has to deal with very complex situations in a couple of lines. I was especially impressed with the steady grace with which he handles potentially explosive religious issues. On the whole I don't think any but the most committed idealogue, left or right, would have a serious issue with their children reading this book. His view of history is probably best summed up with this:
"Now let's take a last look at these people dressed in skins, as they paddle their boats made of hollowed-out tree turnks towards their villages of huts... Do you think much has changed since then? Ther were people just like us. Often unkind to one another. Often cruel and deceitful. Sadly, so are we. But even then a mother might sacrifice her life for her child and friends might die for each other. And how could it be otherwise?"
Now to pick up another copy for those kids...
The reviewer below who worried about the 'unrestrained paean to Marxism' clearly didn't read Gombrich's thoughtful and honest afterword, where he reviews his own opinions from over 50 years back and concludes that he was mistaken about the Soviet Union (to which he only devotes literally five lines which are not particularily opinionated) and too hard on industrialization. He also corrects his younger self on his orignal, parochial view of the Treaty of Versailles. I honour his candour in keeping the original lines in. In any case the idea that this book, with or without the afterword, is propaganda for ANY ideology is frankly absurd, and I would hate to see any reasonable person avoid the "Little History" from that mistaken impression.
Of course anyone will quarrel with the presentation of parts of history on which have an opinion-- personally I think he was rather too hard on Elizabeth I and rather too easy on the Chinese empire and the Aztecs! But that's the consequence of Gombrich's vivid storybook style, I think, and the fact that he has to deal with very complex situations in a couple of lines. I was especially impressed with the steady grace with which he handles potentially explosive religious issues. On the whole I don't think any but the most committed idealogue, left or right, would have a serious issue with their children reading this book. His view of history is probably best summed up with this:
"Now let's take a last look at these people dressed in skins, as they paddle their boats made of hollowed-out tree turnks towards their villages of huts... Do you think much has changed since then? Ther were people just like us. Often unkind to one another. Often cruel and deceitful. Sadly, so are we. But even then a mother might sacrifice her life for her child and friends might die for each other. And how could it be otherwise?"
Now to pick up another copy for those kids...
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
splendidly written
Like the the perfect grandfather storyteller sitting on a chair walking through the most important facts of humankind. Read more
Published 10 days ago by M MONTELEONE
1.0 out of 5 stars
Not for Christians
If you are not a Christian please disregard this review. I bought this book after seeing it recommended on a Christian homeschooling blog. Read more
Published 20 days ago by JC
5.0 out of 5 stars
The journey through 5000 years of human history told for all ages
I'm reading this with my 8 year old and we are both learning. I'm filling in gaps in my historical knowledge while she is getting her first real taste of history. Read more
Published 22 days ago by Benjamin Ball
4.0 out of 5 stars
Great book
I am not a fan of history reading but found this engaging and broad. I will read it with my kids when they are upper primary school
Published 1 month ago by Rainbow Bubble
5.0 out of 5 stars
Thanks Grandpa
This is like being read the history of the world from your grandpa. Gombrich takes the liberty of applying personality to the characters throughout history and by filling in the... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Mr. Thomas D. York
5.0 out of 5 stars
Usefule reminder..
My progressive school only taught 1870-1939 (and only from the UK point of view!). How insular can you get... I'll use this as bedside reading for a week or so...
Published 2 months ago by D. R. Judd
5.0 out of 5 stars
thanks!
A must have for every age. An excellent book for history lovers. Great narrative. If you love history and you want to pass this passion to your child, then buy this book. Read more
Published 2 months ago by ddloe
4.0 out of 5 stars
Gifted to family
Have not read this as it was a gift to my nephew but I believe it is good! Hope So.
Published 3 months ago by C. C. Gilbert
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Revelation
A wonderful book, such an easy read, the author takes you along with him without making you feel inadequate. Read more
Published 4 months ago by D. Sayers
5.0 out of 5 stars
best choice if not knowing much about history and reading it...
The best book ever. I didn't have any clue of the history and I always wanted to read about it, but didn't know where to start and Ernst Gombrich saved me! Read more
Published 4 months ago by Ayda Borjian
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