A Little History of the World: Illustrated Edition

by E. H. Gombrich

Overview

 Now available in paperback, a glorious illustrated edition of the international bestseller

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780300197181
Publisher:	Yale University Press
Publication date:	10/22/2018
Series:	Little Histories Series
Edition description:	Illustrated
Pages:	304
Product dimensions:	5.00(w) x 7.75(h) x (d)
Age Range:	13 - 17 Years

About the Author

E. H. Gombrich was the author of the international classic The Story of Art. Winner of the Erasmus Prize, the Hegel Prize, the Wittgenstein Prize, and the Goethe Prize, he was admitted to Britain's highest honour, the Order of Merit, in 1988.

Editorial Reviews

“Sumptuously illustrated. . . . Perfect for reading to alert and curious children, but it’s even better as a secret pleasure, read alone, with no children in sight.”—Philip Kennicott, Washington Post

The Washington Post - Philip Kennicott

"A brilliant piece of narrative, splendidly organised, told with an energy and confidence that are enormously attractive, and suffused with all the humanity and generosity of spirit that Gombrich's thousands of admirers came to cherish during his long and richly productive life. It's a wonderful surprise: irresistible, in fact."—Philip Pullman

Philip Pullman

"A masterpiece of nonfiction writing for children. It is a wry and charming book, perfectly suited to the capacities of a 10-year-old, but also remarkably free of condescension. An adult can read it with pleasure. And, indeed, with instruction."—Scott McLemee, Newsday

Newsday - Scott McLemee

"Imagine the full story of human habitation on our planet being told in such flowing prose that you want to read it out loud. If you can't imagine that, read A Little History of the World and experience it!"—Patricia S. Schroeder, President and CEO of the Association of American Publishers and Former U.S. Representative from Colorado 

Patricia S. Schroeder

“Gombrich opens with the most magical definition of history I have ever read. . . . Tolerance, reason and humanity . . . suffuse every page of the Little History.”—Amanda Vickery, Guardian Review

Guardian Review - Amanda Vickery

 "A timeless and engaging narrative of the human race."—Booklist

Booklist

"In simple, vivid prose, Gombrich surveys the human past from pre-history to his own time. . . . Lucky children will have this book read to them. Intelligent adults will read it for themselves and regain contact with the spirit of European humanism at its best."—Anthony Grafton, Wall Street Journal

Wall Street Journal - Anthony Grafton

"A remarkable book, written in an amiable, conversational style, effortlessly explaining, without condescension, difficult matters like the achievements of Charlemagne, the monetary system of medieval Europe and the ideas of the Enlightenment. . . . This resurrected history deserves reading for all its delights."—Edward Rothstein, New York Times

New York Times - Edward Rothstein

"His enthusiasm for his subject is irresistible... With Gombrich's Little History, at last available in English there will be many generations of future historians who will attribute to it their lifelong passion for history - and for truth."—Lisa Jardine, The Times

The Times - Lisa Jardine

"Christmas gift of the year is surely . . . A Little History of the World. This is a magical work for children. . . . Perfect for bedrime reading."—John Banville, Irish Times

Irish Times - John Banville

"... ostensibly a book for children, designed to present a chronology of world history, but it's a delight for all ages. The pages sparkle with the learned author's wit and wisdom - and reading them, one feels as if Gombrich, one of the greatest ever art historians, is guiding one through time with a grandfatherly gleam in his eye."—Ben Schott, The Observer

The Observer - Ben Schott

"I am going to buy ten copies of this book and give it to my ten favourite children... this is a book which teaches what it is to be civilised by its very tone, which is one of gentleness, curiosity and erudition."—A.N. Wilson, Times Literary Supplement

Times Literary Supplement - A.N. Wilson

"... a marvellous antidote to history without chronology: the whole experience of human history, from prehistory to the Second World War, compressed into a flowing narrative... [Gombrich] excels in creating a sense of the continuities of history - the ways in which human nature has not budged over the millenium, and the smallness of the differences between people. A delight."—Robert Hanks, The Daily Telegraph

Daily Telegraph - Robert Hanks

"... the main body of the book retains an irresistible, boyish energy and enthusiasm... Here, in this little book are answers to many of the questions you never dared to ask."—Margaret Drabble, New Statesman

New Statesman - Margaret Drabble

"... an engrossing kaleidoscopic account of global history from the ancient Egyptians to the Treaty of Versailles."—Tristram Hunt, BBC History Magazine

BBC History Magazine - Tristram Hunt

"A Little History of the World by E.H. Gombrich is a bedtime treat to share with my two children and proof that brilliance and perspicacity needn't be stuffy."—Bettany Hughes, The Times

The Times - Bettany Hughes

"It certainly couldn't be done more agreeably:.. a perfect birthday present for a child with an enquiring mind. I wish it had been available when I was young."—Allan Massie, Literary Review

Literary Review - Allan Massie

“Delightful…charming.”—PopMatters

PopMatters

"[A] brisk, clear-eyed trot through the centuries."—Tom Beer, Maine Sunday Telegram

Maine Sunday Telegram - Tom Beer

Visit the Little History website.

http://littlehistory.org

"... a joyful book..."—Richard Aldous, Irish Times

Irish Times - Richard Aldous

"Written for children, this book is a source of entertainment and revision for adults too. Devoid of pretension and condescension it demonstrates how fluid communication between the generations can be. Without resorting to technical jargon or a raft of dates Gombrich has produced a text that appeals to all ages and inspires further reading… Entertaining, information and enlightening, it will send the reader on a voyage of (re)discovery of the great story of our world."—Elizabeth Reid, Kensington Magazine

Kensington Magazine - Elizabeth Reid

This is a lovely book which would be a fine addition to any bookshelf. Or better still, plonked into the lap of the nearest child.”—Trevor Heaton, Eastern Daily Express (Saturday Magazine)

Eastern Daily Express (Saturday Magazine) - Trevor Heaton

A perennial favourite, this is the illustrated edition of Gombrich’s brilliant history and contains 200 pictures, nearly all of them full colour.”—Sonali Chapman, The Oldie

The Oldie - Sonali Chapman

“Now in a new fully illustrated format could there be any better book to inspire the historians of tomorrow?....We will all want this elegiac, deceptively simple and elegant history….a lovely piece of book production….Yale has done the author proud, producing something that, in the age of electronic publishing, shows just what’s so special about the printed book.”—Sue Baker, Lovereading

Lovereading - Sue Baker

Now the publishers have added two hundred illustrations, mostly in colour, that enhance and extend the author’s primary intention to arouse curiosity and enthusiasm for the history of mankind. Beautifully produced, with elegant typeface and spacious design, this edition will keep young and old enthralled. A timeless gift!”—The Good Book Guide

The Good Book Guide

Every household should have this book….enriching and enhancing…It makes for an excellent introduction to the world’s history for knowledge-thirsty teenagers and upwards.”—Mary Lussiana, Country & Town House (Books of the Year)

Country & Town House (Books of the Year) - Mary Lussiana

……wonderful....”—Charlie Higson, Mail on Sunday (Christmas Books)

Mail on Sunday (Christmas Books) - Charlie Higson

The book is remarkable as an introduction to World history. Its style is unique…beautifully designed.”—Cassone

Cassone

"A work firmly aimed at educating young readers… [I] marvelled at Gombrich’s uncomplicated presentation and brilliantly digestible prose when grappling with such awe-inspiring subject matter."—Oliver Barker, Art Newspaper

Art Newspaper - Oliver Barker

“[T]his gem of a book. . . [has] a lovely, personal preface [and] reminds us how clever, eloquent and inspiring an account EH Gombrich gave us for ourselves.”—The Independent

The Independent

"In simple, vivid prose, Gombrich surveys the human past from pre-history to his own time. . . . Lucky children will have this book read to them. Intelligent adults will read it for themselves and regain contact with the spirit of European humanism at its best."—Anthony Grafton, Wall Street Journal

— Anthony Grafton

Wall Street Journal

"A remarkable book, written in an amiable, conversational style, effortlessly explaining, without condescension, difficult matters like the achievements of Charlemagne, the monetary system of medieval Europe and the ideas of the Enlightenment. . . . This resurrected history deserves reading for all its delights."—Edward Rothstein, New York Times

— Edward Rothstein

New York Times

"A Little History of the World by E.H. Gombrich is a bedtime treat to share with my two children and proof that brilliance and perspicacity needn''t be stuffy."—Bettany Hughes, The Times

— Bettany Hughes

The Times

"Christmas gift of the year is surely . . . A Little History of the World. This is a magical work for children. . . . Perfect for bedrime reading."—John Banville, Irish Times

— John Banville

Irish Times

"... ostensibly a book for children, designed to present a chronology of world history, but it''s a delight for all ages. The pages sparkle with the learned author''s wit and wisdom - and reading them, one feels as if Gombrich, one of the greatest ever art historians, is guiding one through time with a grandfatherly gleam in his eye."—Ben Schott, The Observer

— Ben Schott

The Observer

"A masterpiece of nonfiction writing for children. It is a wry and charming book, perfectly suited to the capacities of a 10-year-old, but also remarkably free of condescension. An adult can read it with pleasure. And, indeed, with instruction."—Scott McLemee, Newsday

— Scott McLemee

Newsday

"I am going to buy ten copies of this book and give it to my ten favourite children... this is a book which teaches what it is to be civilised by its very tone, which is one of gentleness, curiosity and erudition."—A.N. Wilson, Times Literary Supplement

— A.N. Wilson

Times Literary Supplement

"... a marvellous antidote to history without chronology: the whole experience of human history, from prehistory to the Second World War, compressed into a flowing narrative... [Gombrich] excels in creating a sense of the continuities of history - the ways in which human nature has not budged over the millenium, and the smallness of the differences between people. A delight."—Robert Hanks, The Daily Telegraph

— Robert Hanks

Daily Telegraph

“Gombrich opens with the most magical definition of history I have ever read. . . . Tolerance, reason and humanity . . . suffuse every page of the Little History.”—Amanda Vickery, Guardian Review

— Amanda Vickery

Guardian Review

"... the main body of the book retains an irresistible, boyish energy and enthusiasm... Here, in this little book are answers to many of the questions you never dared to ask."—Margaret Drabble, New Statesman

— Margaret Drabble

New Statesman

"... an engrossing kaleidoscopic account of global history from the ancient Egyptians to the Treaty of Versailles."—Tristram Hunt, BBC History Magazine

— Tristram Hunt

BBC History Magazine

"It certainly couldn''t be done more agreeably:.. a perfect birthday present for a child with an enquiring mind. I wish it had been available when I was young."—Allan Massie, Literary Review

— Allan Massie

Literary Review