Ocean State Libraries

Originally written in 1921 for the author's grandchildren, Hendrik Willem van Loon's The Story of Mankind has charmed generations with its warmth, simplicity, and wisdom. Rather than the dry recitation of events so common in school textbooks, van Loon's witty, amiable tone animates the story of human history as a grand and perpetually unfolding adventure. Beginning with the origins of human life and sweeping forward to illuminate all of history, van...

Brief text and illustrations introduce people, events, customs, and civilizations of the past.

Traces the history of the world, from the ancient world of 40,000 B.C. to the present day, covering such aspects as war, society, religion, people, buildings, arts, science, and communication.