World History for Dummies
by Peter Haugen

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Book Reviews of World History for Dummies

Book Review: The History of the World in less than 400 pages
Summary: 5 Stars

I am aprehensive of books that adhere to a formula like the Dummies books do but Haugen works with skill within the formula making a strong impression on the subjects he writes about. There are no particular political viewpoints and discussions, while light, are treated thoughtfully and transparent of the author's politics.

I was attracted to this book when I realized my apalling lack of memory on the basics in world history. I wanted to know about why things happened, how historical events came to be and in this simple volume I got a clue along with ideas on where to continue reading.

This is a book parents can give to their kids knowing it will help augment the sometimes boring classwork and keeping the idea that history is about people and can be as exciting as any fiction they read or see in film and television.

I can't recommend this fine review of world history high enough. That does not mean it is without fault. At times the tone of the prose is condesending although it is quite possible that this is part of the format of Dummies books as the other couple of books in this series try to disamingly walk readers through concepts that may require humor to disarm otherwise intimidating subject matter.

In the end, World History for Dummies is a useful primer for adults or school age children. My favorite feature of this book is Peter Haugen's gentle reminder of multiple disciplines involved in the understanding of the world that formed the civilization we now live in.

Summary of World History for Dummies

So you may be asking, "How can a 330-page book cover the complete history of the world?" The short answer is that it can't. To cover thousands of years in one book would be impossible. What is possible is a skimming of the surface of world history, which is what you'll find in World History For Dummies. This book provides a fun and friendly overview of the history of the world, providing glimpses into the major players and events that have made the world what it is today.

Because the history of the world is such a grand topic, a comprehensive list of what you'll find in World History For Dummies would be almost as long as the book itself. So here are a few highlights to pique your interest:

• Discover how to look at history from the historian's perspective
• Becoming civilized: The invention of writing and art
• Scientific developments that revolutionized the world
• Building empires: From Rome to Russia
• War and peace (no, not the Tolstoy novel)
• The development of the world's religions
• Overviews of the essential historical documents that you must know ? from the Bible to the Bill of Rights

Anyone with at least a passing interest in history can find value in World History For Dummies ? whether you're a student or a teacher in need of a broad historical overview, a history buff looking for new fascinating areas of interest, or if you just want to be the best darned Trivial Pursuit player in your neighborhood!

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