Best world history you've read (with pics)

Jdanz · #1 12-16-2005, 02:21 AM

I'm looking for an overview world history, like cavemen to 20th century. I'm a history major, and i know whole bunch about a lot of different topics, but i don't know a little bit about all topics like i feel i should. There's stuff from the middle ages and ancient middle east that's i'm completely lost on.

What's the best history you guys have read?

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diebitter · #2 12-16-2005, 02:25 AM

I'm no expert, but there's a great one by J.M.Roberts called 'History of the World', but it might be VERY dated now (I think it's like 30 years+ old).

EDIT: Here's a link to amazon on it

Check the reviews there. I found it very dense and long, but still written excellently and reasonably unbiased when discussing major events etc.

Jdanz · #3 12-16-2005, 02:27 AM

meh my modern history is fine, i'm more interested in old stuff anyway.

Isura · #4 12-16-2005, 02:29 AM

A university librarian is probably your best bet.

Jdanz · #5 12-16-2005, 02:30 AM

i have found this to not be true in my 3 years at NYU

#6 12-16-2005, 02:39 AM

The Cartoon History of the Universe. I'm absolutely serious, despite the name. Here's a link to volume 1.

Jdanz · #7 12-16-2005, 02:47 AM

i'm reading reviews and thinking i'll order, but i also am looking for something a little more meaty.

deadmoney98 · #8 12-16-2005, 03:34 AM

My European History AP Book from senior year of high school was also called History of the World by Palmer and Colton, its dense but it will tell you everything you want to know

theweatherman · #9 12-16-2005, 03:41 AM

There is most likely not a single book that will help you. History is a subject which has too much bias to be condensed into one book. A great example of this is comparing <u>A People's History of the US</u> to your 11th grade US history text book.

Jdanz · #10 12-16-2005, 04:03 AM

yeah i've read a people's history and that's a hell of an example of bias, but i mean just by reading that and seeing how vitriolic zinn is tells you that you can find books with a far less explict agenda.

I know everything is going to have a bias, but i'm looking for an overview not a manifesto on what it means. If it could tell me the main events in the byzantine empire and what the hell happened in the dark ages, and crap like that i'd be pretty happy.