A little history of the world

About “A little history of the world”

In 1935, Ernst Gombrich, a 26-year-old with a doctorate in art history and no job prospects, was asked by a publishing friend to write a history of the world for young readers. He completed the book in six weeks and published it in Vienna as Eine kurze Weltgeschichte für junge Leser, which became immediately successful and is now available in seventeen languages. Later in life, Gombrich revised the work and created an English translation titled A Little History of the World, which was designed with fresh illustrations and made available to English-language readers for the first time. The book covers human history from the stone age to the atomic bomb in forty concise chapters. It focuses on major events, artistic achievements, and scientific progress, emphasizing the overall experience of humanity rather than specific dates and facts. Gombrich's approach highlights both human achievements and weaknesses. The book reflects a generous and humane perspective, offering a clear and lasting account of history.