Essential Visual History of the World || National Geographic doing what they do best...
Written: Nov 19 '07
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Quick guide to all things history. A briefest sample of the visual riches of history.
Cons: None, for what it is.
The Bottom Line: With literally thousands of images and tidbits of knowledge, an enticing invitation to study the beauty and complexity of world history at a greater depth.
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| sleeper54's Full Review: National Geographic - National Geographic Essentia... |
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For a hundred and twenty years The National Geographic Society has brought the world to its members and others. Founded in 1888, the Society has sought ". . .to increase and diffuse geographic knowledge while promoting the conservation of the world's cultural, historical, and natural resources." It is said that National Geographic media content touches 360 million people around the world every month.
With the Society's mission focusing on education relating to geography, archaeology, natural science, and history it is not surprising to find the non-profit organization has a publication arm that produces many books, magazines, and films.
The Essential Visual History of the World is the latest Society publication for the lay reader interested in an overview of the history of man. It might be considered the 'little brother' of National Geographic Visual History of the World, a larger-format text published two years before this book.
Roughly one-third the size of that larger book, the Essential Visual History... fits easily in a bag, backpack, or tight bookshelf. But at a hundred-and-some fewer pages and one-third the size it is not as comprehensive as its 'big brother'. The ratio of 'visual' to text is about the same, 1/3 pics and 2/3 text. Many of the pictures are used in both books; they are cropped or displayed 'smaller' in this book.
The main difference I see is less 'stand-alone' text in this book. A short two or three paragraph introduction leads each section. The remaining text is used to explain or supplement the pictures or utilized in the 'Timeline' found in each section. Less text tends to focus the reader's attention on the visual content.
Essential Visual History... is organized into eight major epochs/chapters. The first is From the Beginning to ca. 3000 B.C. | Prehistory while the concluding chapter is Since 1945 | Contemporary World. The former is the shortest chapter, running only six pages, while the latter is the longest, running one hundred and ten-plus pages.
Each section spreads over at least two facing pages. Some examples of sections from the 5th—15th Century | Middle Ages chapter include:
• France in the Middle Ages
• Northern Europe
• The Crusades
• India
...and
• The Americas
In each chapter the illustrations are tagged with numbers corresponding to matching numbered points in the text.
Each chapter also features a columnar Timeline that ". . .lists all the most important historical events of the given time frame and location while indicating where to find corresponding information."
Page numbers at the start and finish of each Timeline refer the reader forward and backward to related chapters. Thus the reader can browse the book following the 'visual history' of a given region and its associated historical events. These related sections might be the next chapter/page or other chapters elsewhere in the book where the discussion of a region or event continues.
Organized both chronologically and 'geographically' the text seems to give all regions of the world their time in the sun. The idea that a book written in English for an English-reading audience might be a bit 'Western civ' focused should not be a shock.
The 'visuals' of Essential Visual History... are rich and diverse. Paintings abound, of famous scenes, individuals, battles, etc.. Numerous artifacts, ruins, structures and buildings, historical objects, and events are captured in photographs. Photographs dominate the later chapters that cover the last one hundred and fifty years or so.
It is interesting that for an organization focused on geography, in name and stated mission, ...it is interesting to find no maps in this book. Given the size they would have to be, that is probably a good thing.
The Bottom Line
The study of history can be enriching and enlightening for any reader. As the philosopher and poet George Santayana wrote: "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it."
The Essential Visual History of the World will open your eyes to the world-wide panorama of history and the figures and events that continue to shape and influence our lives today.
A certified 'Lean-n-mean' review.
Recommended:
Yes
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sleeper54
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