A Short History of The World (Unabridged) (Annotated)
Enriched Edition. From Earth's Origins to the League of Nations: A Scientific Chronicle of Civilization and Human EvolutionBy H. G. Wells
Length13h 42m
About this audiobook
A Short History of the World (Unabridged) is H. G. Wells's ambitious single-volume account of human history, from the origins of the earth and life to the aftermath of the First World War. Written in lucid, energetic prose, it condenses archaeology, anthropology, religion, politics, and science into a sweeping narrative of civilization's development. Its style is unmistakably Wellsian: rational, synthetic, progressive, and alert to the fragility of empires and ideas. In literary context, it belongs to the early twentieth-century tradition of public history, seeking to educate a broad readership while advancing a secular, global view of mankind. Wells, best known for The Time Machine, The War of the Worlds, and other foundational works of scientific romance, was also a committed social thinker shaped by Victorian science, socialism, and the catastrophic disillusionment of modern war. His training under T. H. Huxley and his lifelong faith in education inform this book's grand design: to replace narrow nationalism with historical consciousness. This work is recommended for readers who want a concise yet intellectually vigorous panorama of world history. Though some interpretations reflect its era, its breadth, moral urgency, and humane cosmopolitanism remain compelling.
This enriched edition has been carefully crafted to add value to your reading experience.
- A succinct Introduction situates the work's timeless appeal and themes.
- The Synopsis outlines the central plot, highlighting key developments without spoiling critical twists.
- A detailed Historical Context immerses you in the era's events and influences that shaped the writing.
- An Author Biography reveals milestones in the author's life, illuminating the personal insights behind the text.
- A thorough Analysis dissects symbols, motifs, and character arcs to unearth underlying meanings.
- Reflection questions prompt you to engage personally with the work's messages, connecting them to modern life.
- Hand‐picked Memorable Quotes shine a spotlight on moments of literary brilliance.
- Interactive footnotes clarify unusual references, historical allusions, and archaic phrases for an effortless, more informed read.
Audiobook details
GenreHistory
Length13 hrs 42 mins
Narrated byListen with 1,000+ voices
FormateBook with Audio
Publish dateMay 7, 2015
LanguageEnglish
Table of contents
1Introduction
2Introduction
3Synopsis
4Historical Context
5Author Biography
Show all chaptersShow less
6I. The World in Space
7II. The World in Time
8III. The Beginnings of Life
9IV. The Age of Fishes
10V. The Age of the Coal Swamps
11VI. The Age of Reptiles
12VII. The First Birds and the First Mammals
13VIII. The Age of Mammals
14IX. Monkeys, Apes and Sub-Men
15X. The Neanderthaler and the Rhodesian Man
16XI. The First True Men
17XII. Primitive Thought
18XIII. The Beginnings of Cultivation
19XIV. Primitive Neolithic Civilizations
20XV. Sumeria, Early Egypt and Writing
21XVI. Primitive Nomadic Peoples
22XVII. The First Seagoing Peoples
23XVIII. Egypt, Babylon and Assyria
24XIX. The Primitive Aryans
25XX. The Last Babylonian Empire and the Empire of Darius I
26XXI. The Early History of the Jews
27XXII. Priests and Prophets in Judea
28XXIII. The Greeks
29XXIV. The Wars of the Greeks and Persians
30XXV. The Splendour of Greece
31XXVI. The Empire of Alexander the Great
32XXVII. The Museum and Library at Alexandria
33XXVIII. The Life of Gautama Buddha
34XXIX. King Asoka
35XXX. Confucius and Lao Tse
36XXXI. Rome Comes Into History
37XXXII. Rome and Carthage
38XXXIII. The Growth of the Roman Empire
39XXXIV. Between Rome and China
40XXXV. The Common Man’s Life Under the Early Roman Empire
41XXXVI. Religious Developments Under the Roman Empire
42XXXVII. The Teaching of Jesus
43XXXVIII. The Development of Doctrinal Christianity
44XXXIX. The Barbarians Break the Empire Into East and West
45XL. The Huns and the End of the Western Empire
46XLI. The Byzantine and Sassanid Empires
47XLII. The Dynasties of Suy and Tang in China
48XLIII. Muhammad and Islam
49XLIV. The Great Days of the Arabs
50XLV. The Development of Latin Christendom
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