Book Review - A Little History of the World by E.H. Gombrich

rincey reads
20 Sept 201205:55
EducationalLearning
32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRIn the video transcript, the speaker, Riny, discusses a children's history book titled 'A Little History of the World' by E. H. Gombrich. The book was initially written in German in the 1930s and later translated into English with an additional chapter on World War II. Riny highlights the author's unique perspective, writing about history as it unfolded, without the benefit of hindsight. The book is noted for its informal and engaging style, which simplifies complex historical ideas for a younger audience, yet remains entertaining for adults. Riny draws parallels between the book's narrative and the Crash Course series by John Green, emphasizing the importance of understanding history from different perspectives. The speaker also reflects on the challenges of writing about current events and the impact of hindsight in shaping our understanding of the past. Riny encourages viewers to engage in discussions about books and reading outside their comfort zones, appreciating the ongoing conversation in the comments section of their previous video.

Takeaways
  • 📚 The book 'A Little History of the World' by E. H. Gombrich is a children's history book that simplifies complex historical ideas for a younger audience.
  • 🎓 The author, while working on his Doctorate, created the book to explain history to his children in basic terms, which later inspired him to write a children's history book.
  • 📈 Each chapter of the book covers a different era or topic, starting from the beginning of human history up to World War II, ensuring a wide range of historical points are covered.
  • 📖 The book is not an extensive history on any single topic, with chapters being around 10 pages long, making it accessible and not overly detailed for its intended young readers.
  • 👦 As an adult reader, the content may feel familiar if one has taken history classes, but the engaging writing style makes it enjoyable to read.
  • 🤣 The author's writing is informal and includes humor, addressing readers directly, similar to a teacher-student or parent-child conversation.
  • 📺 The narration style is reminiscent of educational video series like Crash Course, with an informal and fun approach to discussing historical events.
  • 🇩🇪 The book was originally written in German in the 1930s and later translated into English, with an added chapter about the author's experiences during World War II.
  • ⏳ The author had no idea of the historical significance of the times he was writing in, which is only evident when looking back with the benefit of hindsight.
  • 🌐 The book provides an interesting perspective on how history is written while it's happening and the challenges of understanding the long-term effects of events as they occur.
  • 🌟 The book is recommended for its unique perspective on history and the way it captures the author's experiences and perceptions during a significant period in world history.
Q & A

  • What is the title of the book being discussed in the video?

    -The book being discussed is 'A Little History of the World' by E. H. Gombrich.

  • Why did the author write this book?

    -The author, while working on his Doctorate, simplified complex historical ideas for his children to understand, which led to the creation of this children's history book.

  • What is the book's coverage in terms of historical periods?

    -The book covers a wide range of historical periods, starting from the beginning of mankind up until World War II.

  • How is the book structured in terms of content length?

    -Each chapter of the book is relatively short, possibly around 10 pages long, providing a broad overview rather than an in-depth history of any single topic.

  • What is the writing style of the book?

    -The book is written in an informal, fun, and exciting manner, with the author making jokes and addressing the readers directly, similar to a teacher or parent telling a story.

  • How does the book compare to John Green's World History Crash Course?

    -The book's informal and engaging narrative style is reminiscent of John Green's World History Crash Course, making complex historical ideas more relatable and understandable.

  • In what decade was the book originally written?

    -The book was originally written in the 1930s.

  • What additional chapter was included in the English translation of the book?

    -An additional final chapter was included in the English translation, discussing World War II and the author's personal experiences, including escaping Hitler and moving to England.

  • How does the author's perspective on history evolve in the book?

    -The author's perspective evolves as he reflects on how his perceptions of historical events and leaders were influenced by the way information was reported and the prevailing views of his time.

  • What is the significance of reviewing this book in terms of historical perspective?

    -Reviewing this book highlights the complexity of writing about history while it is still unfolding and the challenges of predicting the long-term impact of events and decisions.

  • What does the reviewer recommend about reading the book?

    -The reviewer recommends reading the book, especially the last few chapters, for an interesting perspective on history and to understand how historical perspectives can change over time.

  • What was the topic of discussion in the reviewer's last video?

    -The topic of discussion in the reviewer's last video was about books, genres, and the importance of reading outside of one's comfort zone.

Outlines
00:00
📚 A Children's History Book by a German Author

The first paragraph introduces the video's subject, a children's history book titled 'A Little History of the World' by E. H. Gombrich. The narrator, Riny, discusses the book's origin, which was initially an attempt by the author to explain complex historical ideas to his children in simple terms. The book covers a wide range of historical topics, from the beginning of human history to World War II, in a manner that is accessible to children. Each chapter is brief, and while the content may be familiar to adults who have studied history, the engaging and humorous writing style makes it an enjoyable read. The author's informal and conversational tone is compared to that of John Green's World History Crash Course, making complex ideas relatable and understandable. The book, written in the 1930s, provides an interesting perspective on history, especially considering the author's German origin and the fact that it was written during a significant time period, with an added chapter about World War II and the author's personal experiences.

05:01
💬 Engaging with the Community and Reflecting on Perspectives

The second paragraph shifts the focus to audience engagement and the importance of discussing books and historical perspectives. Riny expresses gratitude for the comments and discussions generated by the viewers in response to the previous video. The narrator encourages viewers to continue watching, commenting, and participating in conversations about reading outside their comfort zones and sharing their thoughts on various topics. The paragraph also touches on the tendency of people to make grand assumptions about others or decisions made by governments, highlighting the complexity and interest in understanding different viewpoints and historical contexts.

Mindmap
Keywords
💡Book Review
A book review is a critical analysis or evaluation of a book's content, style, and overall merit. In the video, the reviewer discusses 'A Little History of the World' by E. H. Gombrich, which is not a traditional review but rather an exploration of the book's unique approach to explaining history to children.
💡E. H. Gombrich
E. H. Gombrich was an Austrian-born British art historian and author. He is known for his influential work, 'The Story of Art,' and in the context of this video, for writing 'A Little History of the World,' which simplifies complex historical ideas for a younger audience.
💡Children's History Book
A children's history book is a work intended to educate and engage young readers about historical events and figures in an accessible and age-appropriate manner. 'A Little History of the World' is an example of such a book, aiming to simplify complex historical narratives for children.
💡World War II
World War II was a global war that lasted from 1939 to 1945, involving many of the world's major powers. In the video, the author's experiences during World War II and his family's escape from Hitler are mentioned, adding a personal and historical perspective to the book's narrative.
💡Hindsight
Hindsight refers to the understanding of an event that comes with time and reflection after the event has occurred. The video discusses how the author of the book could not have known the full impact of his work at the time of writing, highlighting the importance of hindsight in understanding historical events.
💡
💡Crash Course
Crash Course is an educational YouTube channel known for its engaging and informative videos on various subjects, including world history. The video's narrator compares the style of 'A Little History of the World' to Crash Course, noting the informal and fun way complex ideas are presented.
💡John Green
John Green is an American author, YouTuber, and educator, known for his novels and his role in creating the educational series Crash Course. The video mentions Green's informal and engaging style when discussing world history, drawing a parallel to the author's approach in 'A Little History of the World.'
💡Complex Ideas
Complex ideas refer to concepts or subjects that are intricate and multifaceted, often requiring a deep understanding to grasp fully. The video discusses how the author of the book breaks down complex historical ideas into simpler terms to make them more understandable for children.
💡Narration
Narration is the act of telling a story or recounting events in a spoken or written form. The video highlights the book's engaging narration style, which makes the historical content more relatable and entertaining, similar to how a teacher or parent would tell a story to a student or child.
💡Escape from Hitler
Escape from Hitler refers to the flight of individuals from Nazi Germany to avoid persecution during World War II. The author's personal story of escaping Hitler and moving to England is mentioned in the video, providing a poignant and personal perspective on the historical events discussed in the book.
💡Perspectives on History
Perspectives on history refer to the different viewpoints or interpretations of historical events based on individual experiences, cultural backgrounds, or the era in which the events are viewed. The video discusses how the author's perspectives on history were shaped by the time in which he lived and how they have evolved with hindsight.
Highlights

The book 'A Little History of the World' by E. H. Gombrich is a children's history book that simplifies complex historical ideas.

Author E. H. Gombrich wrote the book in a basic manner to explain history to his children during his doctorate work.

The book covers history from the beginning of mankind up to World War II.

Each chapter is brief, averaging around 10 pages, providing a broad overview without extensive detail.

The book's writing style is informal and engaging, making it relatable and understandable for children.

The author uses humor and addresses readers directly, similar to a teacher-student or parent-child interaction.

The book's narrative is reminiscent of John Green's World History Crash Course due to its informal and fun approach.

The book was originally written in German in the 1930s and later translated into English with an added chapter on World War II.

The final chapter discusses the author's personal experiences, including escaping Hitler and moving to England.

The author reflects on how his perceptions and the reporting of events during his time were not always accurate.

The book provides an interesting perspective on writing history while it is still unfolding and the challenges of predicting future outcomes.

The author did not foresee the significance of events like World War I when writing the book.

The book encourages readers to consider how their actions and perceptions may be viewed by future generations.

Reading the book, especially the last few chapters, is recommended for its unique perspective on historical events.

The video discusses the importance of reading outside of one's comfort zone and engaging in discussions about books and genres.

The reviewer appreciates the comments and discussions generated by the viewers in response to their previous video.

The video concludes with an invitation for viewers to continue the conversation and share their thoughts on the book and its themes.

Transcripts

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Related Tags
World HistoryChildren's BookGerman AuthorSimplified ConceptsHumor in EducationHistorical PerspectiveWorld War II1930s ContextEnglish TranslationHindsight AnalysisCrash CourseBook Review