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| A Little History of the World | 
 enlarge | Author: E. H. Gombrich
Publisher: Yale University Press
Category: Book
List Price: £14.99
Buy Used: £7.48
You Save: £7.51 (50%)
New (48) from £10.18
Avg. Customer Rating:  22 reviews
Sales Rank: 20207
Media: Hardcover
Edition: Rep Tra
Reading Level: Young Adult
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 304
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.1
Dimensions (in): 8.6 x 5.8 x 1.2
ISBN: 0300108834
Dewey Decimal Number: 909
EAN: 9780300108835
ASIN: 0300108834
Publication Date: September 22, 2005
Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days
Condition: A tradition of southern quality and service. All books guaranteed at the Atlanta Book Company.
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| Customer Reviews:
 A beautiful gift for an intelligent child (or a curious adult) November 27, 2008
I was completely bewitched by this book and would recommend it for any intelligent and curious child for Christmas, or for any adult who feels that history has passed them by and they'd like a witty yet full introduction to the past. This is a charming, well-written book which never patronises it's readership and is humane. It deals with the hard parts of history with a sensitivity. I can highly recommend it.
A sound read for children with an interest in history November 26, 2008
To produce a history of the world in a single volume, and one for children at that, is no small ambition. My Gombrich tackled it (in German) as a young man between the two World Wars, and this present volume is a revision he undertook toward the end of his long life.
To make a photograph of a scene means reducing a large and highly detailed reality to a two-dimensional miniature, and every lens introduces its own particular distortions. Nonetheless, many photographs can of themselves be highly satisfying. What of the image produced through the lens of Mr Gombrich? Issue could doubtless be taken over dates less than certain, choice of details, items left out, or other perceived distortions. Nonetheless, the book comprises a usable and satisfying image.
Written for young readers, the style is direct and personable, verging towards friendliness, though never avuncular. But it's a solid read and calls for some real interest in the sweep of history on the part of its young readers.
The little woodcut-style images are a charming and visually strong adornment.
charming and informative November 26, 2008
What an unusual book! It was first written in German in 1935, and its original author rewrote it in English many years later. It is aimed at older children and is cosy and chatty like your favourite uncle but not patronising. It is history of the world and mainly Europe. That feels strange for those of us who went to school a while ago when English History was all the history that mattered! Being so brief there are some broad generalisations going on but I admire the evenness of detail between the chapters. If you want to know more you can always go and look it up. This even-ness extends to the tone of the book too. Gombrich wrote it all within 6 weeks and maybe that is why is reads like a long story more than a collection of little ones. That is what is best about the book - you really get an idea of how history fits together. The only reason it is not 5 stars in my review is becuase there are few pictures - just a litle woodblock print at the top of each chapter. For the age group it is aimed at, it needs pictures in our digital age.
 A fabulously written potted history - perfect for children and adults alike. November 26, 2008
Wow. What can I say? I opened this book, and couldn't put it down again! If only there had been history books like this at school - maybe I'd have gone on to a career as a historian.
When you read it, it is like having a conversation with a friend - one who knows a lot about history and how all the different events that have happened throughout the world relate to each other. It is neither lecturing nor stuffy. If you are looking for an academic history, with lots of footnotes and references to back up what you're reading, you ain't going to find it here. If you are looking for a book that might just get your children (or even yourself) interested in what is a fascinating subject, then look no further.
A truly wonderful insight into all of the history of mankind, and, as Gombrich says himself, a good starting point to delve further into the events that fascinate you most. Superb.
Great history book for adults too November 26, 2008
As a proud owner of Gombrich's famed art history book The Story of Art since the age of 16, I was very interested to read this book. Gombrich apparently decided to write his own history for young people after being sent a substandard one to translate and this book first appeared in 1935. Banned by the Nazis for being "too pacifist", the book has appeared in 25 languages. Towards the end of his life Gombrich planned a revision and a long overdue English translation and this is the edition now available. The book has beautiful engravings illustrating each chapter and is a joy to read. It is apparently designed to be read aloud but all the adult visitors I have had over the last few days grabbed it up and read it avidly. I am delighted to have this book in my history book collection.
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