ainsley_b2's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
informative
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.0
kimberlyjerger's review against another edition
1.0
*1.5
1922 Newbery Medal
The first recipient of the Newbery Medal, van Loon’s The Story of Mankind attempts to trace human history from prehistorical to contemporaneous times.
While acknowledging limitations in his aims and scope, including the Euro-centric focus, The Story of Mankind tends to emphasize odd moments or people in history, often outside of the established chronology or with only brief mention. Significant events are often understated and overshadowed by unrelated descriptions. Especially for a work aimed at younger audiences, it seems that the author presupposes some trivial bits of knowledge that his audience is not likely to know and would make the book less accessible. illustrations are practically useless: the writings on maps is generally unreadable and incoherently spaced, while the drawings of people, landscapes, and events are too stylized to accurately depict its subject, and thus serve little purpose beyond breaking up large chunks of text. Overall, The Story of Mankind is a passable introduction to word history through a (western) European lens.
1922 Newbery Medal
The first recipient of the Newbery Medal, van Loon’s The Story of Mankind attempts to trace human history from prehistorical to contemporaneous times.
While acknowledging limitations in his aims and scope, including the Euro-centric focus, The Story of Mankind tends to emphasize odd moments or people in history, often outside of the established chronology or with only brief mention. Significant events are often understated and overshadowed by unrelated descriptions. Especially for a work aimed at younger audiences, it seems that the author presupposes some trivial bits of knowledge that his audience is not likely to know and would make the book less accessible. illustrations are practically useless: the writings on maps is generally unreadable and incoherently spaced, while the drawings of people, landscapes, and events are too stylized to accurately depict its subject, and thus serve little purpose beyond breaking up large chunks of text. Overall, The Story of Mankind is a passable introduction to word history through a (western) European lens.
heyt's review against another edition
3.0
I was a little worried going into this since it was written 100 years ago but was pleasantly surprised at how little there was to cringe at. I liked that there was optimism about clean energy and an entire section about historical biases and critical thinking about who is writing about what. I will say that while the tone was more conversational than most history I've read there is a lot to unpack in this. Obviously it doesn't go into great detail on any one part of mankind's history but I did learn some things that were useful while watching Jeopardy! lol. I did find it a little sad at the end about his optimism for a new world knowing that in a relatively few years there would be another World War to crush that optimism. All in all I'm glad I read it and can see why it was awarded the Newbery.
kibbles15's review against another edition
challenging
informative
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
2.5
I picked this book up due to the fact that I have a goal to eventually read all the Newberry Medal winners. This was listed as the first winner ever in 1922. When I got the book from the library, I apparently got the updated version which includes history after 1922 (added/updated by Robert Sullivan). I was expecting a much smaller book than the 800 page book I was now faced with. As a result, I felt rather intimidated and was second guessing my afore mentioned goal. That being said, I was able to get over that and eventually finished the book.
There is a lot of information in this book. As an adult, I found that there were some interesting well told "stories" of the history of the world; but over all it a bit overwhelming and and times a little dull. It was a little like reading a Middle-Grade World History textbook.
As I was reading this, I was trying to visualize my nieces/nephews reading this book. I couldn't do it. For the reason I listed above, this book seems a little difficult for children to read. There may be the occasional middle grade or high school child that might find the book interesting, but overall I don't see many kids being interested in this book.
There is a lot of information in this book. As an adult, I found that there were some interesting well told "stories" of the history of the world; but over all it a bit overwhelming and and times a little dull. It was a little like reading a Middle-Grade World History textbook.
As I was reading this, I was trying to visualize my nieces/nephews reading this book. I couldn't do it. For the reason I listed above, this book seems a little difficult for children to read. There may be the occasional middle grade or high school child that might find the book interesting, but overall I don't see many kids being interested in this book.
Content Warnings
Minor: Suicide, Slavery, Violence, Racism, and War
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