The Way of the World: From the Dawn of Civilizations to the Eve of the Twenty-First Century

by David Fromkin

Book Overview

"Ambitious.... The truth is that Fromkin's outline is persuasively thought out and presented."-- The Washington Post Book World As the human race approaches the 21st century, questions of our past trouble us as much as those that concern our future. How did we get here? Where--and how--did Homo sapiens originate? How did we, precariously bipedal, come to dominate the animal kingdom, direct the flow of the Euphrates, fly a rocket to the moon? David...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0679766693
• ISBN13: 9780679766698
• Release Date: January 2000
• Publisher: Vintage
• Length: 272 Pages
• Weight: 0.58 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.2" x 8.0"

Customer Reviews

A glimpse of the past, present, and future

Any reader should be weary of authors who want to write the history of the world in 200 pages; but the "Way of the World" stands out as an elegant narrative that captures the progression of humankind since the dawn of civilizations to the present. David Fromkin, a professor at Boston University, has written the history of the world in a thematic sequence. He has identified eight defining moments that shaped the evolution of humans since the beginning of time: becoming human, inventing civilization, developing a conscience, seeking a lasting peace, achieving rationality, uniting the planet, releasing nature's energies, and ruling ourselves.The author's treatment appeals to those interested in an introductory history, though the book's easy flow is sure to not bore anyone. The "Way of the World" is well suited for a history or an introductory international relations class, and especially for readers who wish to gain an overview of human history within which to frame further investigation. The book's rich bibliography also serves that purpose.Equally interesting is the author's prediction of the future. Professor Fromkin uses historiography to pass onto educated futurology; he offers his own account of where the world is heading by referring to others who have stared in the crystal ball and prophesized the future (wisely or poorly) and by investigating closely current trends. This blend of compelling story-telling, academic study and well grounded prognostication sets the book apart.

Fromkin, the cautious optimist.

This book is not only a brief history of humanity described in 8 grand stages but also a "how-to" book for western civilization's success in the 21st century. Very profound and insightful is the author in his interpretations of the past and in his vision of the future's possibilities. For me, this book has a permanent place in my library - a gem of a book for history buffs.A minor suggestion is that the last two paragraphs in the book should be shifted to the front as the preface. Also, I might suggest to future readers to read the short summaries of each of the first 8 grand steps of humanity's progress located in chapter 10 or 11 before reading the main chapters themselves.

Thoughtful Review of History

The author attempts the near impossible: to summarize world history in a quick easy to read volume. What is interesting is the author manages to reach the goal. I have read a very large number of history books, but I have seldom read one so pithy. The author hits home again and again with thoughtful summarizing concepts that attempt to put history into a larger perspective - one that pulls history together in a comprehensible fashion. The book manages to show how the beginnings of history tie into the present.I recommend this book to anyone interested in history, and especially those who want to know how all these seemingly unrelated facts and events fit together. One can decide the framework does not really fit the facts, but it is undeniable the framework pulls the facts together in a cogent way. A way that makes history approachable and interesting.A thought provoking book. A must read for any history enthusiast.

History of the World as a Poem

For those who occasionally like their history in the largest of big-picture perspectives, this is the book to read next. No wasted words or ideas--a kind of poem. I found it thrilling. Fromkin's ability to communicate what could well be the great themes in the story of the world is stunning. You finish the book feeling as if you've just sat through a Greek Tragedy--purged of fear and pity, in a heightened state of wonder. Nothing trivial gets in the way of "The Way of thre World." You've been told the story as if from God's perspective. A great, great book. I'd like to go on and read everything David Fromkin has written.

puts the history of civilization into complete context

The book is wonderful! The history is of ideas and key trends. There are no dates, no people. He does a wonderful job tying everything together. Too often history is presented in a manner that shows us the trees, but not the forest. The author shows us the forest. The chapter on America explains in only 20 pages the significance of our country better than any book I've read. It's a "thinking" book. Even though it's only 200+ pages, I found myself stopping to think about key paragraphs every few pages. He put all of history's key players, wars, countries, etc. into complete context with each other.