A Short History of the World

Features

• Cover Type: Paperback with 560 pages
• Published by: Oxford University Press, USA July 17, 1997
• Written in: English
• ISBN 10 Number: 019511504X
• ISBN 13 Number: 978-0195115048
• Book Dimensions: 7.9 x 5.3 x 1.1 inches
• Weighs: 13.6 ounces

Product Review

Praise for History of the World:
"[A] landmark book."--The Christian Science Monitor
"Epic, yet readable."--Philadelphia Inquirer
"Roberts provides a scholarly examination representing a one-volume survey of the major events of the past."--The Bookwatch
"Roberts is wise as well as witty.Anyone who wants an outline grasp of history, the core of all subjects, can grasp it here."--The Economist


Product Description
Here is a compact and affordable edition of J. M. Robert's acclaimed world history. Vividly written and gorgeously illustrated, it brings the outstanding breadth of scholarship and international scope of the greater volume within the grasp of most readers. Completely up-to-date, comprehensive yet succinct, it takes readers on an amazing journey from the first appearance of Homo sapiens to recent chapters in the exploration of space. Informative, gorgeously rendered maps, photographs of key archaeological finds, and stunning reproductions of important artwork (some in full color) bring the past to life as Roberts surveys the major events, developments and personalities that have shaped the civilizations of the world.

Reader Reviews
J.M. Roberts "A Short History of the World" covers a lot of ground in 500 pages, from the earliest hominids to the early 1990s. The book provides concise details on the major civilizations that have impacted our world, and more importantly, the lasting impact these civilizations had on their descendants and other civilizations. One can trace our current world conflicts back through thousands of years and realize there is no easy solution to the many problems that confront us. While Roberts gave attention to Asian civilization, his writing did come off with a pro-Western, pro-British slant, especially in his description of the early Islamic movement as one of "conquest and expansion." The same could be said of Christian nations. With such a wealth of information to process and absorb, I whittled away at this book over several months. The sections are arranged so that one can read in shorter bursts. Also, I recommend frequent consultation with a historical atlas while reading this book, as no maps have been provided. "A Short History of the World" is a good for exploring the big picture, and an excellent starting point to pursue other works that provide more in-depth detail of areas of further interest.