Customer Reviews

The Story of Mankind

5 star:		(22)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(6)
1 star:		(8)

 

 

All of us have that book which we remember fondly from childhood, that one book we saw in the school library which we wish were ours so we could keep it in our own private place and read over and over again. Van Loon's Story of Mankind is that book for me. Van Loon does a tremendous service to the study of history. Even though this is a childrens book Van Loon does not ignore or alter the facts of history so that he can comfort instead of educate the child who may be reading the book. And even though the book reads like one big bedtime story, Van Loon always tries to remain objective and never force his opinion on the reader. When he talks about Napolean he makes it very obvious that he does not like the man or what he stood for, but he also tells the reader that his grandfather fought alongside the man and that he(Van Loon) would have probably fought alongside him as well, that's just the kind of man Napolean was. At an age where you will believe almost anything told to you, especially by a man who has written a book, Van Loon tries to give the child both an appreciation for history and a sense of objectivity about events. This was one of the first books, if not the first book, that showed me that everything is not always black and white, good and evil, but shades and gradations of good and evil. I read this to all my nephews, and when they don't know what to read I hand them this book, hoping it will make them a wiser person for listening to Van Loon's lessons.

THE STORY OF MANKIND is a delight. Contrast its wit and insight with the typical history textbooks to which our young are routinely subjected--as ably described by education historian Diane Ravitch:

"The dullness of history textbooks is legendary. I am involved right now in a study of history textbooks, and I must say that I have trouble reading them because of their jumbled, jangly quality. I also have trouble lifting them because they are so heavy and overstuffed with trivia and pedagogical aids. With one or maybe two exceptions, most textbooks put more emphasis on visual glitz than on the quality of their text. By the time that these books emerge from the political process that is called state adoption, they lack voice and narrative power. They lack the very qualities that make historical writing exciting. Our history textbooks are distracting, and I don't know how students learn anything from them."

Van Loon's book won the first Newberry Prize, quite an achievement for a book on world history. "The Story of Mankind" remains a great read for any child thirteen and up (and up).

This is a classic history book written for children (probably ages eleven to fourteen) which can be fascinating even for adults. The book still rings true in 1999. In 1922, it won the very first Newbery Medal for best contribution to American children's literature (the Melcher family had just established the John Newbery Medal). It concentrates mostly on European history since van Loon, in the early 1920s, is attempting to explain those factors that were present in the world at that time. His son William has written several new chapters which expand this view (his father had passed away in 1944). And, I have seen editions that are furthur updated. But, the elder van Loon simply had a style of writing history that seems attractive to children. I saw a previous edition of this book by van Loon when I was a kid and always wanted to read it. I'm glad that I finally did.

I first read this book in 1960 as a paperback (Pocket Library, 50 cents!) and was fascinated. Now I'm reading it to my 14-year-old son, and we're both fascinated. What we like is that it gives a broad sweep of history, explaining why things happened and why they're important. The author doesn't place a lot of emphasis on dates and battles and such, just the grand sweep. If your young adults are tired of all those reading lists that recommend only fiction, here's just the non-fiction book for them.

I first read this book in High School. It sparked an interest in history in me that has burned bright ever since. It, by itself, almost caused me to become a history major in college. Van Loon's style and presentation was the key. Instead of a dry recitation of dates and people, Van Loon puts you on the scene, you can smell the campfires, the thoughts the common folk might have had as they participated in the events, great and not so great, of our roots. As a sublime introduction to history for the young adult, a perfect follow-up for the adult reader is the "Outline of History" by H.G. Wells. I would put both books as required reading at some point in a humans life.

BK

This reprint of Henrik Willem van Loon's "Story of Mankind", winner of the 1922 Newberry Award (first awarded) is a treasure chest of history spiced throughout with van Loon's delightful pen and ink drawings. Modern editors have tried to bring the book up to date by including major world events since van Loon originally wrote the book, but their writing doesn't have the insight that made van Loon's writings what they are. Van Loon traces the history of mankind from the beginning, starting with a brief geologic description of planet earth. His writing makes it seem as if you are reading a docu-drama, and you'll keep wishing that he could spend more time on each topic. I especially enjoyed the sections on the middle ages and renaissance, and this book serves as a good introduction to history for children with writing that brings history to life. At times, given when this book was originally written, you may be struck by van Loon's eurocentric flavor, but overall, he does a remarkable job in providing a well balanced presentation of all major world events. He does a great job of looking at major world religions. This is not an exhaustive epic of the history of humanity, rather it is an excellent introduction to history. Sadly, not many histories can claim to be as entertaining as this volume. Perhaps if more were, history would not be viewed with dread.

As a history minor and professional journalist I've read my share of history books but by far this book is the best I've ever read. Sure there are more scholarly volumes written on the rise of humanity but the author takes our collective tale and puts it in a form in which children can understand and adults can draw joy from. By all means this is a kids book but when you consider how many of us have been pushed away and unknowingly punished by history professors who thought it more important to tell us dates and not the story of the people making the dates significant, this book can be a valuable asset to adults. In a world which is being dumbed down this story, written on a childs level, may even be more apperciated. However to say this text is "DUMB" or lacking intelligence and well crafted words would be an injustice.. It's an incredible book. I have the hard back volume and it will stay in my family for the rest of time. I look forward to the day when my youngest son returns it to me after reading it and says, "Thanks dad". Yes this book is that good.. God Bless.. Ross Guidotti..

This book is no longer being printed the old-fashioned way. This version is now a just-in-time book. Which means ALL THE ILLUSTRATIONS ARE MISSING. Even the ones that are necessary for the text to make sense. This version of this book is a total rip off. Some one got really sloppy and didn't deliver a complete file for printing. I recommend buying a used version of this book.

Every child should read this book. The narrative reads as though your own grandfather was telling you the wonderful stories of history. All children who read The Story of Mankind will began to understand why the world operates the way it does. This book provides the young mind with the frame work for any good historical education.

And I've read a several. I'm an avid student of history, and this is the best. More critical history of the world is compressed into this tiny book that I ever imagined possible. I continue to re-read it to gain perspective on history.

Additionally, it is a great pleasure to read. A tremendous pleasure. It's like reading Arabian Nights. It will instill in kids a love of history, and that is as good as a hundred books on history.

Furthermore, it taught me a few critical things about history:
1. Histories from one man's viewpoint really are the best kind. It is precisely the fact that Van Loon is with us, telling us the story, that makes it so exciting. A textbook with multiple authors and diligent weeding out of all viewpoint makes for passionless writing, and pleasureless reading. On the contrary, points of view animate us. They may indeed bias us, but they will motivate us to seek other points of view.
2. Be kind to people and places different from your own. You might have done the same thing in that situation. Van Loon has a lot of sympathy for the people of history, and he explains to us why they did the things they did.