I read the translated version of this book in Chinese and it just blew my mind at that time. I realized history could be illustrated in a rather different way compared with what is taught in the textbooks. Even though parts of the Chinese version of this book are censored due to the ideological or political reasons, it does no harm to the greatness of this book
This book is extremely famous in China, and I bought an English version. As the title indicates, this book not only narrates the historical events but also analyzes their repercussions in our contemporary life. This writing style has such significance, that even we cannot make a clear prediction about the future, we still know that the result must be led by a cause, and will not be overwhelmed by the rapidly changing world.
it is funny to see most of reviews from Chinese people. and somehow I don’t know why this book is so popular in China. mybe because our textbook was too bad and not telling truth ? too much censored. not sure if the English is too difficult for me to read. But I decided to give it a try.
Read the Chinese version. The book is very easy and fun to read. I especially like the the way author attaches a chapter after each main era of the global history about today's society.
In high school, I was sick of reviewing history textbooks, so I opened up Global History and put it down slowly after a few pages, so I'd better read the history textbook.
This was a recommendation from my mum, who like many of the reviewers here had her brains blown by the fact that history could be taught any differently from what she experienced under her Communist schooling. Having been steeped in the Western tradition from early childhood, I'm still waiting for the equivalent history book that illuminates events differently from the West's typical version of it. (Then again, it's unlikely that such books would be in English.)
read a 2nd time. very comprehensive, highly recommend. I would very much like to see a Chinese author write a global history combined more thoroughly with Chinese history. As the second volume of this book focused mostly on European centralized view (no problem with that). To inspect China from a global point of view seems to be a difficult task, hope some good work can come out.
I haven't finished reading this book but I am already giving it 5 star status. It provides a very complete view of world history and the interactions among countries at various stages, rolling out much like actors on a theatre play.
it is one of the best history book. It provides the interaction of historical event on a global platform and its insightful analysis explaines the motiviation hisotry movement.