The Outline of History

Being a Plain History of Life and Mankind

By: H. G. Wells

Narrated by: Bernard Mayes

Having coined the phrase "the war that will end war," H. G. Wells was disillusioned by the World War I peace settlement. Convinced that humanity needed to awaken to the instability of the world order and remember lessons from the past, the author of science-fiction classics set out to write about history. Wells hoped to remind mankind of its common past, provide it with a basis for international patriotism, and guide it to renounce war. The work became immensely popular, earning him world renown and solidifying his reputation as one of the influential voices of his time.

Public Domain (P)1993 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

vital reading

such an interesting perspective to read history from a historical perspective. narrator is terrific.

Very interesting period piece

Has held up well over time, except for the Victorian casual and explicit racism. To hear a relatively enlightened Englishman’s thoughts on Aryan people vs Semitic people a generation before Hitler came to power was as enlightening as it was disturbing.

Gold standard of world history.

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Even few in my generation know little of world history; all thereafter are just ignorant, clueless illiterates.

What other book might you compare The Outline of History to and why?

Sapiens is another history that I have listened to recently, and am listening again.

Any additional comments?

I am listening to it again even now.

Timeline Perspective not Enclyopedia

HG does a marvelous job touching most relevant peoples and states throughout history. The objective is not a wnclopedia of history but to briefly narrate on the times of the time as he travels noting facts and drawing connections of said facts to future developments. Not without some bias but mostly sound in anything opinion based expressed. Should be required reading of all!

Very important book

I first came across this work somewhere when I was a university student in Economics and Political Science at the University of Pennsylvania in the 1960’s. There have been various subsequent editions but this is the one I remember. The reader is somewhat ponderous in his diction, but overall I believe this should be listened to.
The book in its various notes and appendices shows the actual printed outline with events and dates, and names the many experts he has relied on to prepare it.
Anyone familiar with Well’s “The Time Machine” will also recognize the overall themes, particularly the evils of war, the constant increase in scientific and mechanical development, and also the ability of human society to destroy itself. But he is also a spiritual person and reflects a very Christian very of eschatology and a belief that we will inevitably build a better fairer world with universal government without wars or extremes of wealth or poverty, particularly because no one could want to relive the horrors of “The Great War” (World War I.)
Unfortunately he’s somewhat over optimistic. Nonetheless his history up to and including World War I is largely accurate and his predictions for after that reflect the opinions of much of the educated elite in Britain, although it is noteworthy that he attended The Royal College of Science (The ImperialCollege London) and not Oxford or Cambridge, Wells was raised in extremely difficult circumstances, bordering on poverty, which clearly influenced his work.
Again, this an important book, even if often controversial, and I greatly recommend anyone with a serious interest in history, political science and sociology to read or listen to it. And download the accompanying pdf.