The History Book

Big Ideas Simply Explained

By: DK

Narrated by: Gordon Griffin

Discover the key themes and big ideas behind more than 80 of the world's most important historical events - from the dawn of civilization to the 21st century.

From the origins of Homo sapiens to the Space Race, and from the French Revolution to the Digital Revolution, this instalment in the bestselling Big Ideas series offers an essential exploration of the human timeline up to and including the rise of modern Islam, the world wide web, and the global financial crisis.

Making big historical ideas accessible and easy to understand, with stunning facts and memorable quotes, The History Book audiobook is perfect for students, adults, or anyone who wants to travel back in time and understand the fascinating past of mankind.

Narrated by Gordon Griffin, a prolific audiobook narrator who, for many years, has been a voiceover specialist recording over eight hundred and fifty audiobooks. AudioFile Magazine wrote: "Griffin is not just a narrator, but an artist of the Spoken Word. He is in the top five of the most borrowed audiobook narrators in the world." In 2017, Griffin was appointed MBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours List 'For services to People with Sight Impairment'.

© 2016 Dorling Kindersley Ltd © 2019 DK Audio

Critic reviews

"[The Big Ideas Simply Explained books] are beautifully illustrated with shadow-like cartoons that break down even the most difficult concepts so they are easier to grasp. These step-by-step diagrams are an incredibly clever learning device to include, especially for visual learners." — Examiner.com

"The visual layout promotes browsing with illustrations, pull quotes, and simple mind maps to explain concepts quickly." — Library Journal

"Accessible guide to the great thinkers." — School Library Journal

"Clever and engaging." — Booklist

"Kids are never too young to understand history; it just needs to be presented in the appropriate way. With that in mind, The History Book is a fantastic place to start." — GeekDad.com

Great overview, hate The narrator's pronouncement of various Names

This is a great overview. I strongly recommend this.
BUT, be ready to look up the actual names he is trying to pronounce... Quite a large number of pronouncements the narrator makes is said in a way that most folk won't recognize... like how he pronounces Magellan and the treaty of Versailles. Know your audience.

Great book

Very helpful in understanding the late 21st century. Excited to see what the next 100 years will bring.

Headlines through history

Appreciated the connections between countries and relevance to the present. The quick pace interlaced with details kept me engaged.