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History: The Definitive Visual Guide
Homo sapiens have remained the same species, largely unchanged in genetic makeup and anatomy since the Cro-Magnon era. By contrast, the cultural, social, and technological changes since then have been nothing less than extraordinary. Telling our story, from prehistory to the present day, DK's History is a thought-provoking journey, revealing the common threads and forces that have shaped human history.
612 pages, Hardcover
First published October 15, 2006
149 people are currently reading
1572 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
May 5, 2014
I love books published by DK! They always provide interesting information about a particular topic and arrange it in a user-friendly manner. This book is no exception!
This book begins 3,000+ years BC and works its way up to the present. I freely admit that I did not read the entire book, but rather pieces and parts. However, I did look at the whole book and can tell you that there is a history written for many different periods and peoples in history along with maps, photos, drawings and other pictures (mostly in color). There are also quotes by famous people, sidebars about related items and more!
For example, in the section relating to the American Civil War, there is a history, pictures of both flags, a picture of a rifle-musket and sidebar info. on members of the union, slavery, the north-south divide, the Missouri Compromise, Emancipation, Reconstruction and a brief bio about General (and future President), Ulysses S. Grant.
On the next couple of pages, you can read about Abraham Lincoln and see a detailed timeline of Lincoln, along with photos and other illustrations from this period.
Each chapter covers an era in history and begins with a timeline for that period.
At the end of the book is a section that traces individual histories of the world's countries, from the oldest surviving republic to the UN's latest member and shows how modern nations have emerged like a phoenix from the ashes of past empires and/or survived major wars.
This book begins 3,000+ years BC and works its way up to the present. I freely admit that I did not read the entire book, but rather pieces and parts. However, I did look at the whole book and can tell you that there is a history written for many different periods and peoples in history along with maps, photos, drawings and other pictures (mostly in color). There are also quotes by famous people, sidebars about related items and more!
For example, in the section relating to the American Civil War, there is a history, pictures of both flags, a picture of a rifle-musket and sidebar info. on members of the union, slavery, the north-south divide, the Missouri Compromise, Emancipation, Reconstruction and a brief bio about General (and future President), Ulysses S. Grant.
On the next couple of pages, you can read about Abraham Lincoln and see a detailed timeline of Lincoln, along with photos and other illustrations from this period.
Each chapter covers an era in history and begins with a timeline for that period.
At the end of the book is a section that traces individual histories of the world's countries, from the oldest surviving republic to the UN's latest member and shows how modern nations have emerged like a phoenix from the ashes of past empires and/or survived major wars.
September 29, 2022
I'm a sucker for pictures, so I enjoyed this book. It breaks down really complex civilizations into just a couple pages. My only complaint was that thousands of years get a hundred pages in this book, while the last century gets another hundred. I just wasn't a fan of so much focus on modern history, but besides that I appreciated how this book gave an overview to many civilizations which are often overlooked, like powerful African empires and prehistoric America.
February 26, 2020
Okay, I love history, and that's basically all that's in this book(wow! Shocking!) There's not much to review, therefore I'm no exactly sure why I'm typing this. I love history. I love books. Boom, 5/5 from Mia.
September 1, 2022
It is strange when almost 700 pages of reading seems too general and in need of more details. But this is normal when you talk about history of human civilization. My favorite part of the book are the last 100 pages or so that are talking about the history of each nation separately.
Want to read
March 15, 2022History of lies isn't it? The section about Palestine is shamefully "flawed" and FULL of misinformation and missing historical facts.
February 15, 2018
A Definitive Visual Guide of History? Yep, it's totally that. If you ever wanted to know all about the subject of history, this book provides all the information one could ever want and probably more.
The only criticism I really have is that I disagree with how some of the book is written. The book is very questionable and biased in some parts. The authors have no problem with simply dismissing creationists as backward and against science, as well as writing some slanted mini-biographies such as one rose-colored account of Fidel Castro and his regime.
Other than that, the book does its job well.
The only criticism I really have is that I disagree with how some of the book is written. The book is very questionable and biased in some parts. The authors have no problem with simply dismissing creationists as backward and against science, as well as writing some slanted mini-biographies such as one rose-colored account of Fidel Castro and his regime.
Other than that, the book does its job well.
Read
April 9, 2011WOW there is a lot of history! This three inch book doesn't have it all though1 Would you imagine? WOWZERS!
August 12, 2015
I cannot emphasise enough how AMAZING this book is. Not only is it absolutely beautifully presented, it contains a wealth of knowledge that is simply astounding in its breadth.
February 25, 2018
Amazing for beginners, for me too many pictures.
September 6, 2013
Found this in a charity shop for £3. Nominally, I bought this to help with my kids' homework, but really it's MINE!! A beautifully produced book of global history.
October 22, 2024
อ่านฉบับภาษาอังกฤษนะคะอันนี้ ไม่ได้มีแปลไทย
ขอบอกเลยว่า ดีมากกกกกก งานดีมากกกกก (ก.ไก่ล้านตัว)
แม้จะเล่มใหญ่และความหนาจะ หนาถึง 600 กว่าหน้า แต่กลับไม่ทำให้ความน่าสนใจของมันลดลงเลย
หนาขนาดนี่! แต่ภาพสีทั้งหมด กระดาษอาร์ตมันเกือบทั้งเล่ม พร้อมภาพประกอบสวยๆ เต็มเล่ม
หนึ่งในปัจจัยที่ทำให้ "รัก" การอ่านตั้งแต่เด็ก เพราะแม่ยอมควักเงินซื้อ หนังสือสารานุกรม ที่มีภาพประกอบสวยๆ มาให้อ่านนี่แหละ
และเพราะหนังสือในไทยช่างแพงสวนกระแสค่าครองชีพเหลือเกิน ยกตัวอย่างเล่มนี้..หากพิมพ์ขายในไทย ต้องมีพันอัพแน่ๆ แต่ราคาเล่มนี้แค่หลักร้อยเท่านั้น ทำให้มีความพยายามอย่างมากตั้งแต่เด็กว่า "ฉันจะต้องอ่านภาษาอังกฤษออกให้ได้"!
นี่เป็นหนังสือที่สรุปประวัติศาสตร์โลกแบบละเอียดยิบตั้งแต่ยุคต้นกำเนิดมนุษย์จนถึงปัจจุบัน
สมัยเด็ก มีวิชาประวัติศาสตร์ แต่โรงเรียนไทยมักสอนประวัติศาสตร์ "ไทย" ซ้ำไปซ้ำมา เน้นตระหนักถึงเรื่องภายในชาติ และมีเหตุการณ์ "โลก" แทรกมานิดๆ หน่อยๆ พอเป็นน้ำจิ้ม...
แต่...มันไม่เรียงไทม์ไลน์ให้เรา! อยากสอนห่าไรแม่งก็สอน! ไม่ได้บอกว่า เราอยู่ส่วนไหนของโลก เป็นตัวเล็กๆ ส่วนหนึ่งของโลกใบนี้ และมีจุดเชื่อมโยงอย่างไร ทำให้มันน่าเบื่อ เรียนไปหลับไป สุดท้ายจำห่าไรไม่ได้เลย ทำให้พาลเกลียดวิชาสังคมไปซะงั้น พอโตมาแล้วถึงรู้ว่าแท้จริงแล้วมันสนุก หากเราได้รับ "สื่อการสอน" และ "การเล่าเรื่อง" ที่ถูกต้อง
หนังสือเล่มนี้จะเล่าเป็นยุคๆไปเลย ตั้งแต่ยุคก่อนประวัติศาสตร์ มนุษย์ชาติเรามายังไง
มหาอำนาจ / จักรวรรดิ แต่ละซีกโลก มีหลากหลายวัฒนธรรมต้นกำเนิด และต่างเจริญรุ่งเรือง ดับไป อยู่ตลอดเวลา
มีรายละเอียดเรื่องสำคัญ เหตุการณ์สำคัญ แต่ละอาณาจักร/จักรวรรดิ หรือแม้กระทั่งบุคคลสำคัญที่เป็นแรงขับเคลื่อนเรื่องราวของโลกใบนี้
ดำเนินเรื่องมาเรื่อย มีหลายเหตการณ์มากที่สำคัญ ไม่ว่าจะเป็น สงครามโลก สงครามปฏิวัติรัสเซีบ สงครามเย็น และอื่นๆ
มาจนถึงยุคปัจจุบัน ที่จีนผงาด และการเผชิญภาวะ climate change ณ ตอนนี้
แถมท้าย index timeline ของทุกประเทศ (ทุกประเทศ!) อย่างที่ถ่ายมาคือ ประเทศไทย!
และที่บอกว่า "ไทยไม่เคยเป็นเมืองขึ้นของใคร" ในเล่มนี้ ฝรั่งเขาเขียนว่า "ไม่เคยเป็นเมืองขึ้นของยุโรป" จร้าาา แต่เราเคยตกเป็นของพม่านะ!
สรุป ดีค่ะ ต้องเก็บ ต้องอ่าน ควรค่า ให้ลูกให้หลาน
ขอบอกเลยว่า ดีมากกกกกก งานดีมากกกกก (ก.ไก่ล้านตัว)
แม้จะเล่มใหญ่และความหนาจะ หนาถึง 600 กว่าหน้า แต่กลับไม่ทำให้ความน่าสนใจของมันลดลงเลย
หนาขนาดนี่! แต่ภาพสีทั้งหมด กระดาษอาร์ตมันเกือบทั้งเล่ม พร้อมภาพประกอบสวยๆ เต็มเล่ม
หนึ่งในปัจจัยที่ทำให้ "รัก" การอ่านตั้งแต่เด็ก เพราะแม่ยอมควักเงินซื้อ หนังสือสารานุกรม ที่มีภาพประกอบสวยๆ มาให้อ่านนี่แหละ
และเพราะหนังสือในไทยช่างแพงสวนกระแสค่าครองชีพเหลือเกิน ยกตัวอย่างเล่มนี้..หากพิมพ์ขายในไทย ต้องมีพันอัพแน่ๆ แต่ราคาเล่มนี้แค่หลักร้อยเท่านั้น ทำให้มีความพยายามอย่างมากตั้งแต่เด็กว่า "ฉันจะต้องอ่านภาษาอังกฤษออกให้ได้"!
นี่เป็นหนังสือที่สรุปประวัติศาสตร์โลกแบบละเอียดยิบตั้งแต่ยุคต้นกำเนิดมนุษย์จนถึงปัจจุบัน
สมัยเด็ก มีวิชาประวัติศาสตร์ แต่โรงเรียนไทยมักสอนประวัติศาสตร์ "ไทย" ซ้ำไปซ้ำมา เน้นตระหนักถึงเรื่องภายในชาติ และมีเหตุการณ์ "โลก" แทรกมานิดๆ หน่อยๆ พอเป็นน้ำจิ้ม...
แต่...มันไม่เรียงไทม์ไลน์ให้เรา! อยากสอนห่าไรแม่งก็สอน! ไม่ได้บอกว่า เราอยู่ส่วนไหนของโลก เป็นตัวเล็กๆ ส่วนหนึ่งของโลกใบนี้ และมีจุดเชื่อมโยงอย่างไร ทำให้มันน่าเบื่อ เรียนไปหลับไป สุดท้ายจำห่าไรไม่ได้เลย ทำให้พาลเกลียดวิชาสังคมไปซะงั้น พอโตมาแล้วถึงรู้ว่าแท้จริงแล้วมันสนุก หากเราได้รับ "สื่อการสอน" และ "การเล่าเรื่อง" ที่ถูกต้อง
หนังสือเล่มนี้จะเล่าเป็นยุคๆไปเลย ตั้งแต่ยุคก่อนประวัติศาสตร์ มนุษย์ชาติเรามายังไง
มหาอำนาจ / จักรวรรดิ แต่ละซีกโลก มีหลากหลายวัฒนธรรมต้นกำเนิด และต่างเจริญรุ่งเรือง ดับไป อยู่ตลอดเวลา
มีรายละเอียดเรื่องสำคัญ เหตุการณ์สำคัญ แต่ละอาณาจักร/จักรวรรดิ หรือแม้กระทั่งบุคคลสำคัญที่เป็นแรงขับเคลื่อนเรื่องราวของโลกใบนี้
ดำเนินเรื่องมาเรื่อย มีหลายเหตการณ์มากที่สำคัญ ไม่ว่าจะเป็น สงครามโลก สงครามปฏิวัติรัสเซีบ สงครามเย็น และอื่นๆ
มาจนถึงยุคปัจจุบัน ที่จีนผงาด และการเผชิญภาวะ climate change ณ ตอนนี้
แถมท้าย index timeline ของทุกประเทศ (ทุกประเทศ!) อย่างที่ถ่ายมาคือ ประเทศไทย!
และที่บอกว่า "ไทยไม่เคยเป็นเมืองขึ้นของใคร" ในเล่มนี้ ฝรั่งเขาเขียนว่า "ไม่เคยเป็นเมืองขึ้นของยุโรป" จร้าาา แต่เราเคยตกเป็นของพม่านะ!
สรุป ดีค่ะ ต้องเก็บ ต้องอ่าน ควรค่า ให้ลูกให้หลาน
August 27, 2025
I think that this book was good at just going over most of the known history that is relevant for Eurocentric audiences and I am glade that it at least touched on things like other cultures in the orient, but I just wish that it could have balanced it with the narrative it was going with, and I also wish that it could have had a stronger native to its transition from one time frame to the next. An example of this is how it didn't really touch on the bronze age collapse and how large of an event it was but rather just moved on to the age of antiquity without mentioning the civilizational collapse that happened. I also wish that it didn't treat the changing of the Chinese dynasties like the changing of a shirt with no real consequence. There were civil wars in China that killed more people then world war one, and yet they are only mentioned in it's footnotes (if at all). It also doesn't even care to say anything about the religions/cultures of these peoples as it seems the makers of this didn't want to elude to having any bias, but they obviously do with its pure emphases on western cultures so i would rather that they just told us what they did know with the best ground level view of these people they can make and still go over the facts. Also I think that just a better overview on religion would be better in this book, but that goes back to the people who wrote it being the neo-liberal type that hate talking about religion outside of a negative/un-important view which makes it feel like modern state propaganda at times. I still think that this book is good for what it is, but it's more like a "historical dictionary" rather then a book, as it was intended.
August 26, 2023
I've long been a bit of a sucker for DK books. The pictures are just so good ...and so many of them. And, In this case the illustrations.....especially the maps are great too. Of course, any book which purports to be a history of the world is going to skimp on some things...well probably most things really. And when I wanted some serious detail on Assyrian history, this DK book gave me a summary outline in a few pages but the detail was not there. Still, it did have a section on Assyrian history. Likewise, when I was looking for something on the Scythians, I found a few paragraphs but no real detail. On the other hand, what this book manages to accomplish rather well is the integration of history. They seem to present the history....not just as the history of one tribe or country but as a region with the various forces interacting across wide swathes of territory. And they have some nice illustrated time lines showing what was going on in different parts of the world at particular times in history.
OK , I haven't read this book from cover to cover and i'm not likely to but I find it fascinating to dig into from time to time and probably will continue to use it in this way.I guess it does really well with what it set out to do but I guess I would have liked some more detail......and that might have required something 10 times the size....and it's a big book (Large format 612 pages) already. Four stars from me.
OK , I haven't read this book from cover to cover and i'm not likely to but I find it fascinating to dig into from time to time and probably will continue to use it in this way.I guess it does really well with what it set out to do but I guess I would have liked some more detail......and that might have required something 10 times the size....and it's a big book (Large format 612 pages) already. Four stars from me.
May 24, 2021
An absolutely great reference book, absolutely readable straight through as well! I have already used it to go back and pull information to share with friends. Being a history of humanity from our first ancestors to around 2008 or so the information on the 2 pages never goes super in-depth but it is there to teach you what you need and a great jumping-off point for further research or reading. I also saw very little wrong with the information in areas I have good knowledge of so can attest to the quality of the writing. Same can be said for all of the images present here.
There is also a very nice section in the back with descriptive timelines in the back. I will admit I only picked a few out for countries I knew the history too fairly well but they could be very useful in the right circumstance (such as if you needed to write a history for a country and wanted a starting outline or if you wanted to learn about a country and needed a few topics/events to kick off your research).
It is near impossible for me to give 5* for a reference book and I think there are a few sections it breaks down that are a bit less readable. But it remains one of the best I have come across and so far is the closest to a perfect reference book I have come across. A great addition to the shelf!
There is also a very nice section in the back with descriptive timelines in the back. I will admit I only picked a few out for countries I knew the history too fairly well but they could be very useful in the right circumstance (such as if you needed to write a history for a country and wanted a starting outline or if you wanted to learn about a country and needed a few topics/events to kick off your research).
It is near impossible for me to give 5* for a reference book and I think there are a few sections it breaks down that are a bit less readable. But it remains one of the best I have come across and so far is the closest to a perfect reference book I have come across. A great addition to the shelf!
December 13, 2022
Over 600 pages of great historical encyclopedic content. With beautiful illustrations and nice layouts, it's a pleasure to browse through this. The last section presents the individual histories of 195 of the world's countries in timeline format. As if the main part of the book wasn't great enough already, they add this very useful additional section too.
This is the kind of book we can make an exception for book review rules. Giving this the full 5 stars even though I just got it. It will take a lifetime to fully appreciate this. I love DK books. I love encyclopedias.
This is the kind of book we can make an exception for book review rules. Giving this the full 5 stars even though I just got it. It will take a lifetime to fully appreciate this. I love DK books. I love encyclopedias.
September 10, 2023
It’s definitely the biggest book I’ve ever read. It is so big and rich that it took me more than a year to finish reading it.
This history book doesn’t ressemble to others. Selected chapters talk about important eras and events that sculpted the world to a state we now know it. Not boring at all, you’d understand why the world is at its current state. It is definitely a worthy read since people who ignore history are condemned to repeat it. In fact, as you read through, you cannot but see some parallelism across the years or centuries.
This history book doesn’t ressemble to others. Selected chapters talk about important eras and events that sculpted the world to a state we now know it. Not boring at all, you’d understand why the world is at its current state. It is definitely a worthy read since people who ignore history are condemned to repeat it. In fact, as you read through, you cannot but see some parallelism across the years or centuries.
August 26, 2023
Filled with amazing colour plates that bring the text to life..
From the very beginning of human history right through to world wars and the latest pandemic.
It reports facts and is thoughtful and insightful.
I think next time I will borrow the print version because at 663 pages it is a lot to get through, without the urge to flick back.
From the very beginning of human history right through to world wars and the latest pandemic.
It reports facts and is thoughtful and insightful.
I think next time I will borrow the print version because at 663 pages it is a lot to get through, without the urge to flick back.
March 6, 2018
借閱自公共圖書館圖書資源共享服務平台
這本書不論是圖片還是文字量都很多
且範圍涵蓋了史前時代直到現代
翻完大概要數個月的時間
無奈借閱期限已到 只好放棄
本書前五分之四的內容
是依大致上的時間順序分成各主題的方式呈現
後五分之一則是各國家的年表
還好沒一時衝動買下系列作的電子書版本
大小約略等於微積分原文書
即便是用電腦螢幕觀看也會很吃力
這本書不論是圖片還是文字量都很多
且範圍涵蓋了史前時代直到現代
翻完大概要數個月的時間
無奈借閱期限已到 只好放棄
本書前五分之四的內容
是依大致上的時間順序分成各主題的方式呈現
後五分之一則是各國家的年表
還好沒一時衝動買下系列作的電子書版本
大小約略等於微積分原文書
即便是用電腦螢幕觀看也會很吃力
July 20, 2022
Very big, heavy and graphic. Definitely a coffee table book. 620 pages in chronological order.
January 22, 2023
A very good overview of history from stone age to present. It has lots of pictures and the writing style is easily enough for people of all ages to understand. A must have for every family.
August 31, 2023
Beautiful Book Great read as an overview of history or as a coffee table book.
September 28, 2025
Good. I have nothing negative to say about this book but I stopped reading this ten years ago when I went to college. Maybe I’ll pick it up again.
December 11, 2012
What a massive, monumental, visual overview of history.
This is the first 500+ page DK Eyewintess book I've read from cover to cover and reading about 3-4 pages a day, it took me some 4-5 months to finish it. The thing I love about DK books is that they are the definition of a page-turner for me. I can hardly wait to get to the end of a page since I am already anxious to know what's on the next page. What is the topic? What is the layout? What will I learn? The Eyewitness books are a truly wonderful category of books and a market segment almost single handedly created (and now dominated) by the DK publishing house - and "History" is one of its crowning achievements.
As for the historical content itself, most of it seemed spot on, although I do admit this opinion is based on my rather limited knowledge of history. The only gripes I had with the content were the heavy-handed handling of recent controversial events in international politics, especially those with direct US involvement. Especially the Cuban missile crisis and the invasion of Iraq come to mind. No mention was made of what exactly triggered the missile crisis and the text made it seem like it was an unprovoked move by premier Khrushchev, whereas we now know, that it only came as a response after the US had moved its own missiles within striking distance of USSR in Europe (a fact, which was kept secret at the time). As for the Iraq war, the text made it seem like the US was trying to avoid a crisis (what kind of?) by invading Iraq and deposing a "ruthless tyrant" and the eventual lack of weapons of mass destruction in Iraq was just an inconvenience. At the same time the role of the US in supporting that same dictator for decades before that (even while he was gassing his own people) was downplayed and hardly touched upon. All in all, this made for a very one-sided handling of similar subjects and even an infuriating read at times. In comparison, "1001 Days That Changed the World" handles these subjects vastly better by offering more facts and sides to a story in a smaller format and less text.
As I reached the end of the book, the glossy, colourful and visual pages came to an end and I reached something which at first I considered to be an extended index of some sort - "National Histories". The paper quality was low, the text was small and the few miniscule pictures here and there were all in black and white, but as I started reading, it proved to be one of the better features of the book. At long last I was able to get a glimpse of the histories of all the current nations of the world. Every history book dwells on the USA, the UK, Germany, Russia etc, but how often do you hear about Latin American, African or some of the smaller Asian countries? Yet their histories are sometimes no less riveting and this was exactly what I was finally able to glimpse, although in a very condensed format. Just as I was about to subtract a star for the book's US-centric handling of recent historical events, I added back the star for "National Histories".
Whenever I read a book, I try my best to find reason to sell or gift it in order to make room for new books, but try as I might, I will not be able to part with this book. Even though I don't foresee re-reading it in its entirety any time soon (if ever), I will surely be keeping it for reference and maybe leafing through from time to time. The above-mentioned quibbles aside, this book as been one of the best books I've ever worked through.
This is the first 500+ page DK Eyewintess book I've read from cover to cover and reading about 3-4 pages a day, it took me some 4-5 months to finish it. The thing I love about DK books is that they are the definition of a page-turner for me. I can hardly wait to get to the end of a page since I am already anxious to know what's on the next page. What is the topic? What is the layout? What will I learn? The Eyewitness books are a truly wonderful category of books and a market segment almost single handedly created (and now dominated) by the DK publishing house - and "History" is one of its crowning achievements.
As for the historical content itself, most of it seemed spot on, although I do admit this opinion is based on my rather limited knowledge of history. The only gripes I had with the content were the heavy-handed handling of recent controversial events in international politics, especially those with direct US involvement. Especially the Cuban missile crisis and the invasion of Iraq come to mind. No mention was made of what exactly triggered the missile crisis and the text made it seem like it was an unprovoked move by premier Khrushchev, whereas we now know, that it only came as a response after the US had moved its own missiles within striking distance of USSR in Europe (a fact, which was kept secret at the time). As for the Iraq war, the text made it seem like the US was trying to avoid a crisis (what kind of?) by invading Iraq and deposing a "ruthless tyrant" and the eventual lack of weapons of mass destruction in Iraq was just an inconvenience. At the same time the role of the US in supporting that same dictator for decades before that (even while he was gassing his own people) was downplayed and hardly touched upon. All in all, this made for a very one-sided handling of similar subjects and even an infuriating read at times. In comparison, "1001 Days That Changed the World" handles these subjects vastly better by offering more facts and sides to a story in a smaller format and less text.
As I reached the end of the book, the glossy, colourful and visual pages came to an end and I reached something which at first I considered to be an extended index of some sort - "National Histories". The paper quality was low, the text was small and the few miniscule pictures here and there were all in black and white, but as I started reading, it proved to be one of the better features of the book. At long last I was able to get a glimpse of the histories of all the current nations of the world. Every history book dwells on the USA, the UK, Germany, Russia etc, but how often do you hear about Latin American, African or some of the smaller Asian countries? Yet their histories are sometimes no less riveting and this was exactly what I was finally able to glimpse, although in a very condensed format. Just as I was about to subtract a star for the book's US-centric handling of recent historical events, I added back the star for "National Histories".
Whenever I read a book, I try my best to find reason to sell or gift it in order to make room for new books, but try as I might, I will not be able to part with this book. Even though I don't foresee re-reading it in its entirety any time soon (if ever), I will surely be keeping it for reference and maybe leafing through from time to time. The above-mentioned quibbles aside, this book as been one of the best books I've ever worked through.
December 11, 2012
What a massive, monumental, visual overview of history.
This is the first 500+ page DK Eyewintess book I've read from cover to cover and reading about 3-4 pages a day, it took me some 4-5 months to finish it. The thing I love about DK books is that they are the definition of a page-turner for me. I can hardly wait to get to the end of a page since I am already anxious to know what's on the next page. What is the topic? What is the layout? What will I learn? The Eyewitness books are a truly wonderful category of books and a market segment almost single handedly created (and now dominated) by the DK publishing house - and "History" is one of its crowning achievements.
As for the historical content itself, most of it seemed spot on, although I do admit this opinion is based on my rather limited knowledge of history. The only gripes I had with the content were the heavy-handed handling of recent controversial events in international politics, especially those with direct US involvement. Especially the Cuban missile crisis and the invasion of Iraq come to mind. No mention was made of what exactly triggered the missile crisis and the text made it seem like it was an unprovoked move by premier Khrushchev, whereas we now know, that it only came as a response after the US had moved its own missiles within striking distance of USSR in Europe (a fact, which was kept secret at the time). As for the Iraq war, the text made it seem like the US was trying to avoid a crisis (what kind of?) by invading Iraq and deposing a "ruthless tyrant" and the eventual lack of weapons of mass destruction in Iraq was just an inconvenience. At the same time the role of the US in supporting that same dictator for decades before that (even while he was gassing his own people) was downplayed and hardly touched upon. All in all, this made for a very one-sided handling of similar subjects and even an infuriating read at times. In comparison, "1001 Days That Changed the World" handles these subjects vastly better by offering more facts and sides to a story in a smaller format and less text.
As I reached the end of the book, the glossy, colourful and visual pages came to an end and I reached something which at first I considered to be an extended index of some sort - "National Histories". The paper quality was low, the text was small and the few miniscule pictures here and there were all in black and white, but as I started reading, it proved to be one of the better features of the book. At long last I was able to get a glimpse of the histories of all the current nations of the world. Every history book dwells on the USA, the UK, Germany, Russia etc, but how often do you hear about Latin American, African or some of the smaller Asian countries? Yet their histories are sometimes no less riveting and this was exactly what I was finally able to glimpse, although in a very condensed format. Just as I was about to subtract a star for the book's US-centric handling of recent historical events, I added back the star for "National Histories".
Whenever I read a book, I try my best to find reason to sell or gift it in order to make room for new books, but try as I might, I will not be able to part with this book. Even though I don't foresee re-reading it in its entirety any time soon (if ever), I will surely be keeping it for reference and maybe leafing through from time to time. The above-mentioned quibbles aside, this book as been one of the best books I've ever worked through.
This is the first 500+ page DK Eyewintess book I've read from cover to cover and reading about 3-4 pages a day, it took me some 4-5 months to finish it. The thing I love about DK books is that they are the definition of a page-turner for me. I can hardly wait to get to the end of a page since I am already anxious to know what's on the next page. What is the topic? What is the layout? What will I learn? The Eyewitness books are a truly wonderful category of books and a market segment almost single handedly created (and now dominated) by the DK publishing house - and "History" is one of its crowning achievements.
As for the historical content itself, most of it seemed spot on, although I do admit this opinion is based on my rather limited knowledge of history. The only gripes I had with the content were the heavy-handed handling of recent controversial events in international politics, especially those with direct US involvement. Especially the Cuban missile crisis and the invasion of Iraq come to mind. No mention was made of what exactly triggered the missile crisis and the text made it seem like it was an unprovoked move by premier Khrushchev, whereas we now know, that it only came as a response after the US had moved its own missiles within striking distance of USSR in Europe (a fact, which was kept secret at the time). As for the Iraq war, the text made it seem like the US was trying to avoid a crisis (what kind of?) by invading Iraq and deposing a "ruthless tyrant" and the eventual lack of weapons of mass destruction in Iraq was just an inconvenience. At the same time the role of the US in supporting that same dictator for decades before that (even while he was gassing his own people) was downplayed and hardly touched upon. All in all, this made for a very one-sided handling of similar subjects and even an infuriating read at times. In comparison, "1001 Days That Changed the World" handles these subjects vastly better by offering more facts and sides to a story in a smaller format and less text.
As I reached the end of the book, the glossy, colourful and visual pages came to an end and I reached something which at first I considered to be an extended index of some sort - "National Histories". The paper quality was low, the text was small and the few miniscule pictures here and there were all in black and white, but as I started reading, it proved to be one of the better features of the book. At long last I was able to get a glimpse of the histories of all the current nations of the world. Every history book dwells on the USA, the UK, Germany, Russia etc, but how often do you hear about Latin American, African or some of the smaller Asian countries? Yet their histories are sometimes no less riveting and this was exactly what I was finally able to glimpse, although in a very condensed format. Just as I was about to subtract a star for the book's US-centric handling of recent historical events, I added back the star for "National Histories".
Whenever I read a book, I try my best to find reason to sell or gift it in order to make room for new books, but try as I might, I will not be able to part with this book. Even though I don't foresee re-reading it in its entirety any time soon (if ever), I will surely be keeping it for reference and maybe leafing through from time to time. The above-mentioned quibbles aside, this book as been one of the best books I've ever worked through.
Want to read
September 19, 2016bbjhj
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 25, 2014
Un libro muy interesante y didáctico, nos presenta la historia del mundo pasando desde los primeros homínidos hasta el siglo XXI. Trata de ser un libro que abarque lo más posible la historia de la humanidad alrededor del globo, pero se nota su eurocentrismo, aunque es mucho menor que en otros libros de historia universal que haya visto. Aquí por lo menos se dedica un par de páginas para las culturas americanas (aunque no se profundiza casi nada en ellas), un poco más de Asia y África, pero principalmente visto desde una perspectiva europea occidental. Es una versión inglesa de la historia mundial y como tal debe tomarse.
De todas formas es un gran libro para sondear casi toda la historia oficial conocida. Sus gráficas y fotografías también hacen atractivo el libro. Y el lenguaje en que está escrito es muy accesible para cualquier novato en la historia. Un recorrido por la historia se hace fascinante y esclarecedor en muchos puntos, como para tener una idea de como llegamos al mundo en el que actualmente vivimos.
De todas formas es un gran libro para sondear casi toda la historia oficial conocida. Sus gráficas y fotografías también hacen atractivo el libro. Y el lenguaje en que está escrito es muy accesible para cualquier novato en la historia. Un recorrido por la historia se hace fascinante y esclarecedor en muchos puntos, como para tener una idea de como llegamos al mundo en el que actualmente vivimos.
January 3, 2017
Otro gran libro de DK. Si pudiera aprenderme todos los datos que vienen en el libro me atrevería a decir que sé de historia, pues el libro narra desde la prehistoria hasta nuestros días e incluyendo los hechos acaecidos lejos de Europa por lo que te da una visión más completa del mundo que no suele ser fácil de encontrar en libros que pretenden abarcar tanto. Las imágenes, gráficos, esquemas, datos curiosos y personajes a doble página, hacen de esta una lectura amena y propicia para la consulta, que seguro volverás a ojear en más de una ocasión.
February 18, 2009
Grace, This book is fantastic, linking ancient and recent histroy together with everything: Taking a broad-themed approach, acknowledging varied factors at work, from climate, ecology, disease, and geology and their roles in the human story, this visual celebration makes history accessible and relevant, putting events in their wider context and showing how they have shaped the world we live in. The book is huge, so take your backpack to the Library and check it out. :)
March 29, 2016
Such a beautiful book. This is definitely another one of DK's gorgeous encyclopedia. Full of beautiful images and enlightening text starting with the origins of humanity to present day. Totally loved it!
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