A Little History of the World

“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

“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, Times (UK)

“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

“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

“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

“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 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 millennium, and the smallness of the differences between people. A delight.”—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

“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

“Delightful . . . charming.”—PopMatters

“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

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

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

“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

“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