History of the World (Updated)

If you've been following me for a while, you'll know that I read this book in increments over 13 months -- I could have read it in 12, but I took this February off because I was getting wearied by the tome. If you read 3 1/4 pp per day, you will finish this book in a year. If you don't--if you read......more

Good lord, I finally finished this book! I think there were at least two periods where I put this one down and did not pick it up again for six months or so. So, while Roberts does his best to give shape and clarity to an immense amount of information, it is not the most gripping read (although, wit......more

In one of the classic classroom-quiz-themed Calvin and Hobbesstrips, our hero reflects on career choices. J. M. Roberts was a big-picture person. And this is a big-picture book, but even though it is an all-encompassing chronicle that traces every major development of historical significance begin......more

It. Is. Accomplished. It took five months, but I have finally finished this behemoth. And I didn’t just read it; I studied it. I took notes. Assiduously. It was a self-imposed college course. How does one review something one has lived with for half a year? The main question, I suppose, is whether or......more

Well honestly, I feel like writing a review for this book is like my Oscar acceptance speech, it is so momentous. It has taken me 121 days/four months of reading (almost) every day, averaging nearly ten pages per day. I have never even read a historical book before. It is a truly massive tome, but I......more