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Fifty Things You Need to Know About World History
What are the key 50 events you really need to understand to grasp the developments of our world?
In this highly entertaining read Hugh Williams distils world history into an insightful overview. By selecting fifty key people, places, battles, objects and events, he casts a clear eye over the way the world has developed and how we live today.
Injecting life into familiar historical landmarks as well as bringing lesser-known events to the forefront, Hugh shapes the fifty things into themes as all-encompassing today as they were over two thousand years ago: wealth, religion, conquest, discovery and freedom.
The Fifty Things include…
Origin of Species
Model T Ford
The Russian Revolution
Plato
Conquest of Mexico
Mao Tse Tung
Crucifixion of Jesus
Via Egnatia
Worldwide web
Ozymandias
9/11
Nelson Mandela
Coronation of Charlemagne
American Declaration of Independence
Franco-Prussian War
Mahabharata
The Black Death
And many more…
560 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2010
834 people are currently reading
483 people want to read
About the author
Hugh Williams
102 books5 followersBritish chartered accountant, author and politician.
Williams was educated at Eton College and qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 1970. He set up his own accountancy practice in 1973, first at a small farm on Dartmoor, moving to Plympton in 2001.
Williams is a member of the United Kingdom Independence Party.
Williams was educated at Eton College and qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 1970. He set up his own accountancy practice in 1973, first at a small farm on Dartmoor, moving to Plympton in 2001.
Williams is a member of the United Kingdom Independence Party.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
January 2, 2019
This is a good place to start and summarizes nicely many of the most important moments in world history. It is helpful in gaining a more general perspective on history so you can then delve deeper into specific topics.
March 18, 2018
It is interesting to compare this to his book on Britain. The narrower the topic, it seems, the deeper one can go. This was a bit boring to me because the focus was so broad that Williams’ topics had to be pretty predictable. Printing, Darwin, etc. so I ended up skimming a bit because a lot of his topics were too familiar to me. Doesn’t make it a bad book but if you’ve read a fair amount of history and history of science, you might also want to skim sections.
December 19, 2018
Amazing and well chosen sections of various aspects of history such as religion, conflicts and discoveries spanning thousands of years and continents.
For me this book has given me a whole new overview perspective that has been truly altering in my view of our human history. I now see a number of things very differently. I highly recommend this book of 50 things for an easy to read overview. Well chosen selection. Some things appear confusing like the French revolution but that is because the whys and wherefores of human behaviour are often not well thought out and at times highly irrational. Which is definitely the case with the French revolution and Napoleon. But nevertheless the key events and characters are presented and for me it will be further research.
Specific subject headed in the chapter is covered but has highlighted also surrounding information that provides context and insight
Note this is an easy to read well considered overview and from that perspective has achieved it's goal very well thus five stars. It may well highlight areas for further reading and research depending on one's own interest.
For me this book has given me a whole new overview perspective that has been truly altering in my view of our human history. I now see a number of things very differently. I highly recommend this book of 50 things for an easy to read overview. Well chosen selection. Some things appear confusing like the French revolution but that is because the whys and wherefores of human behaviour are often not well thought out and at times highly irrational. Which is definitely the case with the French revolution and Napoleon. But nevertheless the key events and characters are presented and for me it will be further research.
Specific subject headed in the chapter is covered but has highlighted also surrounding information that provides context and insight
Note this is an easy to read well considered overview and from that perspective has achieved it's goal very well thus five stars. It may well highlight areas for further reading and research depending on one's own interest.
January 28, 2019
Written as an introduction to major world history events, Hugh Williams' 'Fifty Things You Need to Know About World History' explains the importance of historical events upon current society. As a novice of world history, I appreciated reading about a number of topics that I was not aware of, particularly to Asian events.
As with any topic that requires a bit of buy in from the reader, a skilled author makes the heavy lifting less burdensome. Unfortunately, Williams writes a rather dull account of some otherwise interesting and even exciting events. The only humor I encountered during the reading was the sprinkling of personal opinion made fact and the faint but detectable pride in his British nationality (and thus very mild repugnance of the United States' events or discoveries).
For the price I paid ($1), I'd give it four stars. At full price, I give it three.
As with any topic that requires a bit of buy in from the reader, a skilled author makes the heavy lifting less burdensome. Unfortunately, Williams writes a rather dull account of some otherwise interesting and even exciting events. The only humor I encountered during the reading was the sprinkling of personal opinion made fact and the faint but detectable pride in his British nationality (and thus very mild repugnance of the United States' events or discoveries).
For the price I paid ($1), I'd give it four stars. At full price, I give it three.
August 13, 2018
The format in which this book is written (short introductions of lots of interesting events) really isn't my favourite way to learn about a subject. Somehow I still decided to read this one, and all in all it was an okay read.
The book filled some holes in my knowledge about world history, and some of the chapters made me interested in pursuing further reading. The positive side of the introduction-type literature is that it isn't as time consuming as reading a whole book on any particular subject, so I guess that counts for something.
On a more positive note, I liked the authors decision to split the events into categories, and present them in chronological order within each category.
3/5.
The book filled some holes in my knowledge about world history, and some of the chapters made me interested in pursuing further reading. The positive side of the introduction-type literature is that it isn't as time consuming as reading a whole book on any particular subject, so I guess that counts for something.
On a more positive note, I liked the authors decision to split the events into categories, and present them in chronological order within each category.
3/5.
May 4, 2018
Stopping at 50? Amazing
What a compendium of almost totally unrelated...but in reality very related...subjects. The book jumps from decade to decade and even millennia to millennia, spending just the precise amount of time needed to approach and explain almost unexplainable phenomenon throughout the ages. What could have been an agonizing journey becomes a fabulous adventure of people's lives and civilizations. A book which will certainly be recommended to my book club!
What a compendium of almost totally unrelated...but in reality very related...subjects. The book jumps from decade to decade and even millennia to millennia, spending just the precise amount of time needed to approach and explain almost unexplainable phenomenon throughout the ages. What could have been an agonizing journey becomes a fabulous adventure of people's lives and civilizations. A book which will certainly be recommended to my book club!
May 1, 2022
Loved this book. It was an amazing review of some world events I know very well and an intro to a bunch of world events I should know better.
More than just descriptions of events. The book did a great job of tying the historical event into the present time or implied it’s consequences enough that there were many times I would stop to ponder the web of events it tied together her or made me think about current events from a different angle.
I found I almost read it twice going through it as I flipped back and forth between pages and section tiring events and time periods together.
The selection of the 4 themes for each of the 50 events is genius. Of course choosing 50 events is somewhat arbitrary but the 4 themes gave it a good framework and all the events deserved to be there. I can’t think of any easy ‘replace x with y’.
They should teach this book in high school.
Ohh, and a nice little addition of famous poetry where appropriate. I’ve never really ‘got’ poetry and it wasn’t heavy handed here but I really appreciated the little flavour that was added with the verses.
More than just descriptions of events. The book did a great job of tying the historical event into the present time or implied it’s consequences enough that there were many times I would stop to ponder the web of events it tied together her or made me think about current events from a different angle.
I found I almost read it twice going through it as I flipped back and forth between pages and section tiring events and time periods together.
The selection of the 4 themes for each of the 50 events is genius. Of course choosing 50 events is somewhat arbitrary but the 4 themes gave it a good framework and all the events deserved to be there. I can’t think of any easy ‘replace x with y’.
They should teach this book in high school.
Ohh, and a nice little addition of famous poetry where appropriate. I’ve never really ‘got’ poetry and it wasn’t heavy handed here but I really appreciated the little flavour that was added with the verses.
April 20, 2018
Basic introduction
As one who habitually reads either as. Novels based on accepted understandings(nonfiction). The basic reality is that all is interpretation This book is,by its own admission, just that. I have read many world histories One may not agree with all this author's choices However, I can assert that they are all most insightful and present cogent arguments for their inclusion. I would recommend this as a basic intro or a thoughtful expansion of a knowledge of world history.
As one who habitually reads either as. Novels based on accepted understandings(nonfiction). The basic reality is that all is interpretation This book is,by its own admission, just that. I have read many world histories One may not agree with all this author's choices However, I can assert that they are all most insightful and present cogent arguments for their inclusion. I would recommend this as a basic intro or a thoughtful expansion of a knowledge of world history.
February 23, 2019
Great short condensed summary read on many of history's greatest topics.
Amazing short snippets of very interesting aspects of our history. Extremely worthwhile for anyone who wants the condensed but interesting aspects of our history, beautifully written. From the impact of religion, to conquering greats and empires, to masterful thinkers and revered heroes, this book has it all
Amazing short snippets of very interesting aspects of our history. Extremely worthwhile for anyone who wants the condensed but interesting aspects of our history, beautifully written. From the impact of religion, to conquering greats and empires, to masterful thinkers and revered heroes, this book has it all
March 30, 2019
Good trivia book if you are looking for one.
I enjoyed the easy form of the book as it is broken down into major categories. Within the categories are historical facts some major some obscure but most all interesting. I think any one who enjoys historical trivia would enjoy this book.
I enjoyed the easy form of the book as it is broken down into major categories. Within the categories are historical facts some major some obscure but most all interesting. I think any one who enjoys historical trivia would enjoy this book.
April 8, 2020
I love detailed books so call me bias but if it weren't for that factor that prevented me from being objective here, I couldn't give it five stars. However, I will say that if you are a newbie to history or want to get someone hooked into this subject, this is the first book you want that person to read, especially if you are a history teacher.
April 3, 2018
As a history teacher, I knew most of what the book covers. Still, there were many insights that I enjoyed as well as new perspectives. Organized by major themes, its a good book for a crash course in World History.
April 18, 2018
Opinion and history
A lot of information was discussed about historic events, people, ideals and results. The information was presented as fact, however opinion was a part of every section often disguised as fact.
A lot of information was discussed about historic events, people, ideals and results. The information was presented as fact, however opinion was a part of every section often disguised as fact.
July 24, 2018
Not a bad book. It was too broad and general for me, but for someone who is new to reading history it's a great starting book. I was more interested in his choices of historical events that made the list of fifty. It's a quick read and a nice overview of each event listed.
October 7, 2018
A wide mix of things" chosen as Need to Know events in World History. While broad in scope, not always information on my required-reading list. Read the Table of Contents to set then decide if this book is of interest to you.
June 12, 2018
2000 years of mankind's progress in one book
A fun book to read. I found I new little of non-European history. High level, fact-filled reading. Quite enjoyable for the most part.
A fun book to read. I found I new little of non-European history. High level, fact-filled reading. Quite enjoyable for the most part.
May 3, 2018
I guess the topics listed in this book can give one a decent broad overview of historical events, but the spelling and grammatical errors were very distracting for me.
April 5, 2019
El mejor libro de historia que he leído. Habla de todos los temas y maneja impresionantes datos históricos. Sigue una secuencia y una organización extraordinaria. Me encantó.
August 23, 2019
Quick chapters on 50 important events. I liked being able to go back to it as I wanted, and not having to read it straight through.
April 1, 2021
Interesting read. The authors choice of the fifty things that made the world what it is today is enlightening. .
January 4, 2011
It has moments of greatness, but it's a book that is far less than the sum of its parts. Rather disappointing, especially as it seems to promise so much. It's also lacking the wit necessary to live up to such bold promise in its title.
February 17, 2012
Um livro excelente sobre a História Mundial que de uma forma bastante coerente, aborda assuntos que aparentemente não têm ligação mas que encaixam perfeitamente no assunto.
Um excelente livro de cultura geral.
Um excelente livro de cultura geral.
February 11, 2011
This book is great for giving you a brief understanding of some of the main highlights of World History.
June 27, 2018
Significant historical events summarized in brief chapters. A good overview of how the world's civilizations have evoled to where we are now.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews