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Title: Little History of the World: Classic Collection (Classic Collection) [UNABRIDGED] (Classic Collection)
ISBN: 078617286X
Author:
E. H. Gombrich
Publicate Date: 2006-06-15
Publish: 2006-06-15
List Price: $19.95
Average Customer Rating: 4.5
Format: Audio CD
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Amazon Lowest New Price: $11.78
Amazon Lowest Used Price: $10.99
Amazon Merchant Price: $13.57
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| Customer Review: |
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1: Easy to listen to, but extremely inaccurate
The audio version reads like a bedtime story, although it soon gets into subjects that would probably bore 99% of children. However, this style along with the brevity, make it very easy for adults to listen to, say during long commutes in a car. HOWEVER, it is extremely inaccurate! Most Americans will be rather shocked to learn that Benjamin Franklin lead the American Revolution, that the North was the weaker of the warring parties in the Civil War, that we have a Parliament instead of a Congress, and that Wilson conned the Germans into accepting the Treaty of Versailles (although the reader apologizes for this last huge guffaw). There appear to be a similar magnitude of errors in the history of other countries, but I'm not as familiar with non-American history (why I got the book in the first place). While its good that this will keep you listening, its bad that you will be hearing many false statements.
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2: Great!
We have listened to these Cds in our car for a week. My kids love them. They have learned lots of interesting facts. They want to learn more history too!
The narration is fabulous. It really serves the text. Now my son wants to read the book by himself.
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3: An island of gentle sweetness in sea of harsh rancor
Ralph Cosham performs a superb reading of E. H. Gombrich's world history for children. His gentle voice and respectful tone are a perfect match for E. H. Gombrich's splendid and charming retelling of history. Gombrich never forgets who his intended readers are--children and young adults--and how he must engage them and not leave them behind. At the same time, he never patronizes his readers. A lesser reader could have spoiled author's efforts by overlaying the wrong tone or sensibility--such as, history is meant to be endued, not enjoyed; the student should be left anxious and guilt ridden, never astounded and enthralled by the best story ever told.
This is the perfect spoken book for long rides in a car or for long walks. I love every minute of it and I will hunt down other reading by Cosham.
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4: My kids LOVE this history!
We've purchased the CD version, and every time we get in the car, the kids (ages 7 and 10) ask if they can hear more history. I can't imagine any parent not enjoying hearing those words! The book is highly focused on European history and the German experience, but it's all interesting. My son thought it was cool to know the background of the author and how he came to write the book before hearing the rest of it read; that gives perspective to certain things. Opinions definitely seep in, but I didn't find any of them bothersome. The main thing the CD collection is missing is any sort of index. A CD may end in the middle of a chapter. So, it is difficult to go back to particular points in history. It pretty much has to be listened to in order. An amazing story, however. Our history, beautifully read.
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5: Brief but entertaining.
I purchased this product to freshen up on world history. It provides a brief history of the world (too brief in some places) and gives a great overview of the history of man kind.
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