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| History of the World in 10 Chapters (Picador Books) | 
 enlarge | Author: Julian Barnes
Publisher: Picador
Category: Book
List Price: £7.99
Buy Used: £0.01
You Save: £7.98 (100%)
New (36) Collectible (1) from £0.01
Avg. Customer Rating:  23 reviews
Sales Rank: 29587
Media: Paperback
Edition: New Ed
Pages: 384
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.5
Dimensions (in): 7.8 x 5.1 x 0.9
ISBN: 0330313991
Dewey Decimal Number: 813
EAN: 9780330313995
ASIN: 0330313991
Publication Date: July 27, 1990
Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days
Condition: good clean tight copy - - will be dispatched in a bubble padded postage pack (box 337)
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| Customer Reviews:
 A Sardonic, Original, and Mischievous Mind on a Tear November 24, 2002
9 out of 11 found this review helpful
A stowaway that narrates the trip of Noah's Ark, simple animals tried for blasphemy in the 16th Century, an incredible stream of thought on language's three very famous words, and more from an extremely original and perspective bending Author. This book is easily one of the more original works I have read in quite some time.
These collections of stories, and in one case a story within another, are all wonderful when confined within their own borders. They certainly were intended to be elements of a much more transcendent work, and when the reader finishes the parts, and becomes a ruminator of the whole, the effect is brilliant. Mr. Julian Barnes is a new Author for me, fortunately this book is not his debut so much remains to be read, and on his side, I hope, to be written.
A short time ago I read "Ghostwritten", a book that was divided into 9 tales that all had an element of commonality. I thought it was very well done. This work takes the joining of elements that could at times be superficially viewed as disparate, but are all of a singular piece when the entire book is read. The bridges that bring the reader and the elements of the books through the tale can seemingly be obvious. They are also incredibly well disguised. A cursory read through what may seem to be just a satirical romp will no doubt please, but attention paid with more vigor will yield a much more richly crafted work. And the added gift is that even when you think you have taken what the Author has offered, this work lingers, and the more and longer it is thought of, the better it continues to grow. This is a work that can easily be started again immediately after the final page is read.
Some would argue that for a work to be excellent it must be entirely original. I think that would be nice, and it does happen occasionally. Much more frequently what is offered has all the originality of a clone. Taking the familiar apart, changing the perspective, adding stylistically original and provocative thought, is as original as one can get. Generally accepted ideas or truths, are not necessarily either. The ability to step back and present stand alone pieces that are fresh, that then become a symbiotic whole is a remarkable talent, and Mr. Barnes is incredibly inventive.
Show this man a Rubik's Cube with all of its colored sides intact. Then scramble the object and present him with the multi-colored curiosity. Not only will he place all the colors back so that each side is uniform, he will have changed all the colors as well.
Read this man's work, it's a wonderful trip.
 Bump up to 3 1/2 to pitch this a bit more September 25, 2001
2 out of 8 found this review helpful
Wonderfully written books will influence great and unique emotions, especially when capturing all the essential points of metaphysics in a singular text. I cannot say "A History of the World" was the most enjoyable read for me, though without doubt, there's a great many things that should be said for it. For its shortcomings, well, maybe I shouldn't assume everyone's tastes: unfortunately, I suffer from a disinterest within pockets of world history. Some of the stories wouldn't be relevant within the context of "world history" if it didn't discuss the fine details of psychology, so be sure and thank your Jung gods for narratives that examine self and others. This book operates like World music: a lot of it very good, some of it not quite your bag. Of course the text begins strong with an enjoyable...account of the Ark and that patriarch, as recounted in Genesis, told in creative first person POV by the most unlikely intellect. A highly topical issue at the moment, the second chapter recounts a tour-host's terror as his ship is held captive by terrorists and is forced to give the most difficult and demanding presentation of his career. Trickled throughout the book, great exposition and detail is given for random, but not (obviousily) significant events, in the scope of world history. Letters, the polemic of love, the survival of a French ship, two cats and a misunderstood lover lost on the tide, ... all interwoven with the motif of woodworms, life on sea vs. land, the Ark, art and the selfishness of humans. Because it's a history of the world, well, sometimes our laurels are hard to take and/or follow. Nevertheless, when you get to Heaven, it is hard to find a truer and more sincere poignancy. I have great respect for Julian Barnes.
An ironic and humourous critique of society. June 12, 2001
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
I was determined to hate this book. Being forced to read it for A Level has condemned many other books, but Julian Barnes caught me out. This is a truly remarkable novel and one which will get you thinking about yourself and the people around you. It mixes iconaclasm and irony to perfection. I defy anyone to dislike the modren day classic!
A book that makes you sit down and just read. May 19, 2001
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
When I first read this book, I have to say it did nothing for me - I didnt even understand it. But upon reading it a second time, I realised its importance lay in the structure the wit and the sensitivity that only Barnes can inject into it. His pick of events was perfect, and his style is beautiful. This book should be read by everyone who needs to grow up, and everyone who has ever wondered what really went on on Noah's Ark. A complete winner.
new perspectives September 1, 2000
5 out of 7 found this review helpful
Julian Barnes writes ten (and a half) chapters about random periods in the history of western civilisation from quite a different perspective to the ones we're used to. For example, the first chapter tells the story of Noah's ark from the perspective of a woodworm. This book is not a history textbook, or a popular history book, but a clever, funny, witty and very well written piece of fiction. It is also an account on the history of how history is told and how perspectives change, and it reminds us of episodes certain historians wanted us to forget.
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