• A Little History of the World

  • By: E. H. Gombrich
  • Narrated by: Ralph Cosham
  • Length: 9 hrs and 11 mins
  • 4.6 out of 5 stars (3,943 ratings)

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A Little History of the World  By  cover art

A Little History of the World

By: E. H. Gombrich
Narrated by: Ralph Cosham
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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)

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A brilliant perspective of history told simply

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It almost felt like I was listening to my grandfather telling stories and epics of old; epics from 5000 years ago and stories from recent history.

I would recommend this if you enjoyed Sapiens or if you want a wholistic, extensive and unboring account of the history of, well... everything.

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Great

Concise yet comprehensive. A good addition to a marginally informed student of the history of the world.

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Encapsulated history

I was well entertained by the history. It is a book even the neoconservatives of America would have trouble finding fault. Well done.

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Non woke

It was a joy to listen to a book about history that was not woke.

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Enjoyed very much!

Many events got quick mentioning only, but mostly quite accurate. Highly recommend to young readers

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Absolutely Loved

Enjoyed every minute of this book. The writer and narrator, did an incredible job, so insightful, beautiful, sad, interesting and hopeful. Grateful I stumbled onto it and will definitely reread.

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Fine history book

I enjoyed this short book on world history. The author attempted to explain the most important events related to the main civilizations of the world. Exactly what I was looking for. Nice, clear narrative.

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Lovely book and reading

Took me back in time to my history classes, which also took me back in time. I will listen to it again and that’s saying something. 

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A beautiful work

I feel connected with history and all the people of the world after listening to this book. I love the author's friendly tone and simple style of explanation. I can't wait till my son is old enough to listen to this. I also love the reader's voice and reading style. An excellent listen!

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wish it was longer

I loved this book and was sorry that it had to end.

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11 people found this helpful