asipofcozy 's review for:

A Little History of the World by E.H. Gombrich

3.0

informative medium-paced

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I am a fan of world history - it's always captivated me, the cultures, the people, the civilizations that ruled and conquered. So when I came across A Little History of The World and read the synopsis I was quite interested. Here was finally a history book that anyone of almost any age could pick up and get a brief glimpse of how our societies came to be today.

And while I did get what I hoped for - a glimpse into cultures and histories I have not yet touched on, I was left disappointed and honestly shocked and the lack of diversity and inclusion of many histories that shook the world today. Along with the lack of respect of other cultures and people.

Here were some of the many issues I found throughout reading this glimpse into world history:

• Incredibly Eurocentric with a heavy focus on Germany (where the author/hisotorian is from), Italy, and Austria - he mentions Africa at the beginning but only Egypt, he never talks about the America's, England, Russia, briefly touches on Asia and India, and nothing about very northern Europe (Poland, Norway). He has left out so many cultures it's insulting
• Massive gaps in history - he leaves huge gaps in history and for a historian I am surprised at the amount of world changing moments he won't even talk about (the slave trade, east India trading company, the fall of Egypt, the fall of emperors in China/Japan, slavery in Europe)
• He brings in a lot of his religious beliefs - which I get religion formed a lot of society today, but he almost applauds the crusades and says "the one good thing that came from the crusades..." no good thing came from slaughtering. In fact when any dark times are mentioned he says "I can't possible go into how cruel white people were...." are you kidding me?
• The way he talks about other cultures - if they aren't white he characterizes them as villains. In one instance he talks about "unfriendly" these other races were...they were literally being invaded and killed how were THEY unfriendly! 
• The racism!!!!! The amount of times he used slang terms for other races or the way he described them. I don't care what year you are in this is just not okay! And he continues to use the word "Indian" for both Native Americans and Indian's from India....the term Native American is not NEW.
• The constant "if you remember" moments - he writes this quite often as if to take you back to a historical moment he NEVER touches on and acts as if you could possible remember this moment. Why say it if you won't even write about it in the book. 
• He won't even say "Holocaust", he says "I can't possible talk about the cruel acts"....you're not serious right, you are a historian. I get this labeled for children but how can we keep history remembered if you are so "white proud" that you won't even say what something was.

I have a lot of frustration. How can this individual be labeled a Historian when he refuses to look from the scope of another lens.