Take Me Back

by Samone Bos

Presents a chronological exploration of the people and events that have shaped societies through time with bold, irreverent art--from Mesopotamia to Mao, the Incas to Iraq, and the Spartans to the Space Shuttle. 50,000 first printing.

Genres: History, Nonfiction

352 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 2008

Reviews

[Idontwanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is not a book for adults. Mainly because adults seem to nitpick everything they see, but also because it's a children's book. Before anything happens in a story, or anywhere else, you have to get the audience's attention. This book held my attention for about 3 years as a kid, when I was doing much more unproductive things than learning about history. I always wish there was an adult version of it now.

[Travis · Rating 3 out of 5]

History has a hard time being hip - especially in the eyes of young readers. While adults know that past events are relevant to the present, kids are busy trying to figure out the here and now, often pushing history to the back seat. “Take Me Back” (like “Pick Me Up” and “Do Not Open” before it) gives history the full on hipness treatment - a modern and informal voice, plenty of visuals, and an offbeat layout. The result is an appealing overview of a wide range of historical events.

The course is set in the table of contents. 304 pages. Six chapters. The entirety of human history. Ambitious to say the least. From the beginning of human civilization, through the Enlightenment, and up to globalization, “Take Me Back” hits on just about every important event in between. There’s always room to second guess some of the topics chosen, but that seems to be a pretty fruitless endeavor to me. Let’s just say that the important stuff is there, and much more.

The aforementioned hip approach that DK took with this title has pros and cons. While it creates an inviting atmosphere for reluctant readers, the highly visual style and short bursts of text don’t allow for some of the amazing stories that give history its richness. Helping to make up for this lack of storytelling, graphic novel-ish passages are sprinkled into the mix. Every so often a comic appears to explain events like the Holocaust, the Black Death, and the rise of Russia - all rendered in a different style.

While it can be hard to sell some young readers on history, “Take Me Back” helps the cause. A nice addition.

[Steven · Rating 3 out of 5]

A book with history, great illustrations, entertainment and is beautifully all golden and shiny..... It taught me a thing or two right off the bat. i particularly liked the mock news papers of the viking era and the advertisement looking for berserkers, Berserkers are known to get so worked up, they jump too soon and drown in deep water. A sense of timing is therefore an advantage. lol

Warning! this book deals with real history so there is the history of the evolution. it also has a history of most of the major religions.

[Gabrielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am such a history nerd, I ate this book up. It's funny and creative, but super imformative, similar to the Horrible Histories books. And it covers basically EVERYTHING in history, so you get a general knowledge of a bunch of different time periods and importent events. It would be a good book to buy so you could reference it. Or you could just borrow it from the library for a month and then try to coerce your brother into picking it up for you like I did/still do. It's a awesome read for any fellow history lovers.

[Annelie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Take Me Back, the history of the world in many hilarious scenarios, is probably one of the best history books ever written. It's not one of those cliche books about how history is "useless" and how history teachers are snotty, boring, and century age individuals who test you on things that happened in the past. This book teaches you everything you need to know, in a hilarious book that is both colorful and interesting.

I think this book is a must read for any kid, whether they love history or not.

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

Most awesome history book!!! Can't believe I read it cover to cover. It really gives you a sense of the enormity and diversity of human history around the globe and through time.....Yes this is a children's book and middle school student will definitely be the primary readers, but I loved it as well.

[Miriam · Rating 3 out of 5]

a beautiful overview of events in history. some things we learned and forgot; some things we never learned!