Reviews

A Little History of the World by E.H. Gombrich

lizzieeberhard's review against another edition

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informative reflective medium-paced

4.0

imenesaid's review against another edition

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4.0

I picked up for myself and it was a perfect read with my children

dpsax's review against another edition

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informative medium-paced

3.0

This is a good book for an overview of our history. However, as the author mentions, I wasn't super interested in European history- it made me want to learn more about the ancient empires. I didn't like the chapter about arabs, I found it slightly biased against them and it slightly infuriated me. 

I enjoyed the last 2 chapters since I liked how the author left his more biased view pre WW2 of Germany in, and then explained after.

I also think the prose was excellent - which I've found is true for lots of translated books, perhaps because english is a very clunky language.

Overall, Interesting, well written, but didn't blow me away and didn't enjoy it that much. 3/5

rbcp82's review against another edition

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5.0

I really cannot recommend this book highly enough for everyone.
Gombrich is truly a gifted storyteller. He makes the world history of past 5000 years so accessible.

elianaini's review against another edition

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3.0

Buen resumen, me gustó. Pero al final se me hizo un poco denso.

yarae's review against another edition

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Biased! 

pigsonthewing's review against another edition

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5.0

While reviews commenting that this is a Euro-centric history are correct, it's still an excellent primer for its intended audience, and for older readers whose school lessons in history omitted crucial periods. There are plenty of other works that can be read subsequently, to give a wider and deeper view - one book cannot over everything.

Further, the approach taken by this book - its tone, and content - make it an easy and engaging read.

thesvnthsense's review against another edition

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informative medium-paced

4.25


Expand filter menu Content Warnings

candlegeorge's review against another edition

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informative lighthearted reflective medium-paced

5.0

shipwreck78's review against another edition

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3.0

Meant for children, I thought it did a good job of explaining how the religions branched or developed in very layman terms.