A Short History of the World 50 Books

Books ultimately provide an invaluable and comprehensive record of what it means to be human. This volume takes a curated list of of all time, putting each into its historical context. From ancient game-changers like the , through and works of by the likes of Confucius and Plato, via (like the first printed book) and of enduring impact (think Shakespeare, Cervantes and Joseph Heller), these are volumes that are at once both products of their societies and vital texts in molding those same civilizations. It would take a lifetime and more to read and absorb all of them. But this volume allows you to become ridiculously well read in just a fraction of the time. This isn’t a celebration of the canon, it’s about the books that have changed how we think and live – and which have changed the course of history.