A Little History of the World

By: E. H. Gombrich

Narrated by: Ralph Cosham

Length: 9 hrs and 11 mins

Publisher's summary

In 1935, with a doctorate in art history and no prospect of a job, twenty-six-year-old Ernst Gombrich was invited to attempt a history of the world for younger readers. Amazingly, he completed the task in an intense six weeks, and Eine kurze Weltgeschichte für junge Leser was published in Vienna to immediate success. It is now an international bestseller and available in almost thirty languages across the world.

In forty concise chapters, Gombrich tells the story of man from the Stone Age to the atomic bomb. In between emerges a colorful picture of wars and conquests, grand works of art, and the spread and limitations of science. This is a text dominated not by dates and facts but by the sweep of mankind’s experience across the centuries, a guide to humanity’s achievements and an acute witness to its frailties. The product of a generous and humane sensibility, this timeless account makes intelligible the full span of human history.

©1985 DuMont Literatur und Kunst Verlag GmbH und Co. KG, Cologne, Germany. English translation 2005 Leonie Gombrich (P)2006 Blackstone Audio Inc.

Critic reviews

"A lovely, lively historical survey....A fine conception and summarizing of the world's checkered past for young and old." (Kirkus Reviews)
"A remarkable book, written in an amiable, conversational style....This resurrected history deserves reading for all its delights." (The New York Times)

Great starting point or refresher

A good account of world history in a way that is not too boring even for non history buffs. I learned a few new things about ancient history while listening. 5 stars

Exactly what I was looking for

Fantastic book that covers a lot of ground and digs into key figures, events, etc. to serve as a foundation for future education.

An absolute delight

It was an absolute delight to listen to this masterpiece narrated so elegantly by Mr. Cosham, I’m left with my heart and mind caressed by this wonderful lines.

Absolutely delightful!

“Delightful” is not a word that one typically associates with the scarred history of mankind but E.H. Gombrich has written an energetic, engaging story of the world which effortlessly carries you through antiquity, the Middle Ages, and the Enlightenment all the way through to modern times. Ralph Cosham is the perfect narrator for this book drawing you in and keeping your attention through all the battles, conquests, and rulers as well as all the remarkable accomplishments and changes wrought through the ages.
If I have any criticism of the book it is that it, like many others, largely overlooks the history of the indigenous peoples of the world - in Africa, Australasia, and North America. However, by his own admission, Gombrich did not intend this as a comprehensive treatise but rather a short world history accessible to all ages.
I highly recommend this audiobook to all lovers of history as well as those who think they care nothing for history. You will be entertained, informed and inspired.

Great Book for Kids and Adults

one of the most comprehensive and unbiased takes in history I've ever had the joy of experiencing. Don't let the fact that it was written for young adults stop you.

There is nothing little about this little book

It is a gem both in the art of writing and reading!

I wish all history (books ) is like this one. Many factors contribute to the success. It includes the sensitivity, sympathy and sincerity. The style is much a match for listening.
The reader is impeccable! What a listening experience. This one goes to my list of re-listen.

An engaging humanities course

I learned quite a bit from this book. He makes comments about people whose names I’ve heard but never knew quite why they’re important. The book helped put many events and their importance in perspective. It covers so much history that it is very brief. But, it’s a good start. Most of the book was written in 1935, for a young adult to understand history but I’m in my 70s and I adored it.

Amazing book

I enjoyed listening to the book and found it very informative, and very easy to understand given the huge amount of information and historical events from the early human life to the present day. The narrator did an excellent job on keeping me interested and eager to hear the story of our ancestors.

Worth your time!

lets be honest... history is dry. this is the wetest take on a history book wo being fiction in .. well... history. Covers it all well enough to tie things together begining to ww2 without being boring.

Fantastic Read

Although directed towards a young audience, this is a beautiful read for all ages. In a time where information is in abundance, it seems that not everyone is fully taking advantage or perhaps, taking it for granted…

This book takes you on a journey through world history that is informative, yet leaves plenty of room for one to investigate further any period in time desired. It is a thoughtful timeline of world events depicting how the world was shaped through time.

I recommend this to children and adults alike!!!