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

adventurous emotional hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted reflective fast-paced

3.0

Overview:

This is a history of humanity.  A diverse and global history of humanity.  Even though the book was directed for an audience of children, this book does not shy away from the complexity of history.  Acknowledging the limits to history, the lack of information, and explaining how information survived.  The controversies and the political power struggles.  The rise, fall, diffusion, and assimilations of various peoples, and empires.  The way states gained and lost their sovereignty.  How individuals gained sovereignty.  The way philosophies and religions shaped power.  How technological changes shaped society. 

Having an understanding of history means knowing alternative ways of being and thinking.  To know what has been tried, and avoid the mishaps.  History provides a direction for future actions.  History is full of peoples who have had an impact on forthcoming generations.  Knowing history gives meaning to choices currently being made, for they have the power to shape how future generations live. 

 

Caveats?

The audience for this book was children.  To introduce children to history.  For parents to read to their children.  Even though the book does not avoid the complexities of the topics, the way in which the book was written might not be appropriate for mature readers.

The book provides an introduction to various critical topics and junctures in history.  Tempting the reader into searching for more information about the topics.  To understand each topic, would require more research. 

The author acknowledged the potential for making discoveries that provide more information on the details of the topics.  As such, there have been historical discoveries.  Changing how those historical topics are interpreted, and falsifying some details.