Best Selling Books by Hendrik Willem van Loon

Intended for children, and much of the science is hopelessly out of date, but this ambitious, even audacious attempt to offer an overview of the entirety of human history remains a breathtaking work today. A 1921 bestseller, The Story of Mankind won the first Newbery Medal in 1922.

The Story of Mankind was written and illustrated by Dutch-American journalist, professor, and author Hendrik Willem van Loon and published in 1921. In 1922, it was the first book to be awarded the Newbery Medal for an outstanding contribution to children''s literature. Written for Van Loon''s children (Hansje and Willem), The Story of Mankind tells in brief chapters the history of western civilization beginning with primitive man, covering the development of writing, art, and architecture, the rise of major religions, and the formation of the modern nation-state. Van Loon explains in the book how he selected what and what not to include by subjecting all materials to the question: Did the person or event in question perform an act without which the entire history of civilization would have been different?

Van Loon recounts history as living news, relating everything in the past to the present. He writes informally, making world history wonderfully alive and exciting. Of this book the author writes, "The entrance of America upon the scene of international politics as the most important actor, destined to ''play the lead'' for the next five hundred years, convinced me that proper and reasonable understanding of historical cause and effect was the most important factor in the lives of the rising generation. And so my book treats the entire history of the human race as a single unit. It begins with the dim and hardly understood realm of the earliest past; it can be continued forever."

This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you will see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work. This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.

First published in 1921, The Story of Mankind has charmed generations of readers of all ages with its warmth, simplicity, and wisdom. Beginning with the origins of human life and sweeping forward to illuminate all of history, Hendrik van Loon''s incomparable prose enlivens the characters and events of every age. His unique ability to convey history as a fascinating tale of adventure has endeared the book to countless readers and has accorded it a unique place in publishing history.

Written by renowned historian and journalist Hendrik Willem van Loon, this book provides a comprehensive overview of the history of mankind from the earliest days of civilization to the Roman Empire. The book is a classic of popular history and provides a compelling account of the evolution of humanity. This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work is in the "public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.

The inimitable style of Hendrik Willem van Loon, the renowned early-20th-century popularizer of all things historical, is at its best in this 1917 book for children. His language is more than merely simple and readable: he brings to life distant times and remote places with an enthusiasm that inspires. The Greeks "lived in a beautiful land of sunshine and temples"; the Norse sailors "dared to leave the sight of land"; Columbus "was no chance explorer who hit upon his discoveries by luck." More than just an account of discovery, it encourages the reader to set out to discover more for himself, too. Fully illustrated with the author''s sketches, maps, and color illustrations. ALSO AVAILABLE FROM COSIMO CLASSICS: van Loon''s The Fall of the Dutch Republic (1913), The Rise of the Dutch Kingdom (1915), The Golden Book of the Dutch Navigators (1916), and Ancient Man (1920) Dutch-American author, journalist and illustrator HENDRIK WILLEM VAN LOON (1882-1944) was the first winner of the prestigious Newbery Medal for outstanding American children''s book for his The Story of Mankind. Acclaimed for his ability to depict history in a lively and entertaining manner for children and adults alike, he was a popular lecturer and radio personality, equally comfortable on informational programs and celebrity quiz shows.

Many of the earliest books, particularly those dating back to the 1900s and before, are now extremely scarce and increasingly expensive. We are republishing these classic works in affordable, high quality, modern editions, using the original text and artwork.

[W]ho is there that has studied the events of those years between 1795-1815 who did not feel the utter indignation, the terrible shame, of so much cowardice, of such hopeless vacillation in the hour of need, of such indifference to civic duties?... And who that has studied the history of the early nineteenth century does not know how for two whole generations after the Napoleonic wars our country was no better than a negative power, tolerated because so inoffensive? -from the Foreword Hendrik Willem van Loon was one of the most popular American writers of all things historical in the early 20th century, but he was Dutch by birth and took a great pride in his native land. In this 1915 book, he lays bare the grand soap opera that shook Holland a century earlier, a tale of revolution, coups d''etats, foreign warfare, royal misbehavior, and more. But more than just the story of a nation suffering a period of decline, it is also a testament to the character of the Dutch people, which survived and thrived in spite of the misdeeds of their rulers. Splendidly entertaining, this is one of van Loon''s best and most passionate works. OF INTEREST TO: history buffs, readers of Dutch culture Also available from Cosimo Classics: van Loon''s The Fall of the Dutch Republic (1913), The Golden Book of the Dutch Navigators (1916), A Short History of Discovery (1917), and Ancient Man (1920) Dutch-American author, journalist and illustrator HENDRIK WILLEM VAN LOON (1882-1944) was the first winner of the prestigious Newbery Medal for outstanding American children''s book for his The Story of Mankind. Acclaimed for his ability to depict history in a lively and entertaining manner for children and adults alike, hewas a popular lecturer and radio personality, equally comfortable on informational programs and celebrity quiz shows.

Hendrik Willem van Loon(January 14, 1882 - March 11, 1944) was a Dutch-American historian, journalist, and award-winning children''s book author.He was born in Rotterdam, Netherlands, the son of Hendrik Willem van Loon and Elisabeth Johanna Hanken. He went to the United States in 1902 to study at Cornell University, receiving his degree in 1905. In 1906 he married Eliza Ingersoll Bowditch (1880-1955), daughter of a Harvard professor, by whom he had two sons, Henry Bowditch and Gerard Willem. The newlyweds moved to Germany, where van Loon received his Ph.D. from the University of Munich in 1911 with a dissertation that became his first book, The Fall of the Dutch Republic (1913). He was a correspondent for the Associated Press during the Russian Revolution of 1905 and again in Belgium in 1914 at the start of World War I. He lectured at Cornell University from 1915 to 1917; in 1919 he became an American citizen. Van Loon had two later marriages, to Eliza Helen (Jimmie) Criswell in 1920 and playwright Frances Goodrich Ames in 1927, but after a divorce from Ames he returned to Criswell (it is debatable whether or not they remarried); she inherited his estate in 1944.From the 1910s until his death, Van Loon wrote many books, illustrating them himself. Most widely known among these is The Story of Mankind, a history of the world especially for children, which won the first Newbery Medal in 1922. The book was later updated by Van Loon and has continued to be updated, first by his son and later by other historians. However, he also wrote many other very popular books aimed at young adults. As a writer he was known for emphasizing crucial historical events and giving a complete picture of individual characters, as well as the role of the arts in history. He also had an informal and thought-provoking style which, particularly in The Story of Mankind, included personal anecdotes. As an illustrator of his own books, he was known for his lively black-and-white drawings and his chronological diagrams. After having revisited Germany many times in the 1920s, he was banned from the country when the Nazis came to power. His 1938 book Our Battle, Being One Man''s Answer to "My Battle" by Adolf Hitler earned him the respect of Franklin Delano Roosevelt, in whose 1940 presidential campaign he worked, calling on Americans to fight totalitarianism. The titles and subtitles of his books are notable for being lengthy. Van Loon had a remarkable command of the English language, and the 1946 and other editions of "Roget''s International Thesaurus" are dedicated "To the memory of Hendrik Willem Van Loon who month after month, year after year, sent additions and changes for this edition."

Selected Non Fiction Historical Reads: "Spanish Papers" by Washington Irving: In this collection of essays, Washington Irving, an American author and diplomat, offers insightful and historically significant writings about Spain. From exploring the history and culture of the country to recounting his personal experiences, Irving''s "Spanish Papers" provides a fascinating glimpse into Spain''s past and present. "The Story of Mankind" by Hendrik Willem Van Loon: This award-winning book is an engaging and comprehensive account of human history. Hendrik Willem Van Loon takes readers on a journey through time, from the earliest civilizations to the modern era, presenting historical events and figures in a captivating and accessible manner. Key Aspects of the Book "Selected Non Fiction Historical Reads": Spanish Papers: Washington Irving''s collection of essays offers valuable insights into Spain''s history, culture, and society, making it a compelling read for those interested in European history. The Story of Mankind: Hendrik Willem Van Loon''s book presents a sweeping narrative of human history, providing readers with a well-rounded understanding of the major events and developments that shaped the world. Washington Irving was an American author and diplomat, best known for his literary works that have had a significant impact on American literature. Hendrik Willem Van Loon was a Dutch-American historian and writer, acclaimed for his ability to make history accessible to a wide audience. In "Selected Non Fiction Historical Reads," readers can explore the fascinating works of these authors, gaining valuable insights into historical events and the human experience.

This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you will see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work.This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.

Reproduction of the original.

This collection of literature attempts to compile many of the classic works that have stood the test of time and offer them at a reduced, affordable price, in an attractive volume so that everyone can enjoy them.

This is a new release of the original 1923 edition.

The Story of Mankind covers the history of western civilization beginning with primitive man, the development of writing, art, and architecture, the rise of major religions, and the formation of the modern nation-state. Van Loon explains in the book how he selected what and what not to include by subjecting all materials to the question: Did the person or event in question perform an act without which the entire history of civilization would have been different?

We the Book Manufacturers'' Institute are engaged in a solemn endeavor to bring to fruition this co-operation among the several groups whose labors go into the making of a book, and one of the most agreeable tasks afforded us during the course of a year is the planning and preparation of a volume to be distributed at the annual Book Fair, the provision of a work which thousands will read and cherish as a souvenir of a truly memorable event. -- Foreword.

Winner of the first John Newbery Medal in 1921, here is van Loon''s renowned classic record of historic adventure, updated for the 21st century.

Hendrik Willem Van Loon was a Dutch-American historian, professor at Antioch College, and lecturer at Harvard, Cornell, and the University of Munich. Most widely known among his books is The Story of Mankind, a history of the world especially for children. Beautifully written, it won a prize for literature, the first Newbery Medal in 1922. Anyone who can chronicle world history from 500,000 B.C. to present times, and do so in a lively, entertaining style, deserves a medal. The warm, personable tone of Hendrik Willem van Loon''s writing lends itself to true learning in a way that stern, dry textbooks never do.He also wrote Ancient Man, which tells the story of man from the beginning of prehistoric times until the end of the ancient world. This too, although it never won a prize, is a truly great children''s book!ContentsAncient Man:Prehistoric ManThe World Grows ColdThe Earliest HumansThe Key Of StoneThe Land Of The Living And The DeadThe Making Of A StateThe Rise And Fall Of EgyptMesopotamiaThe SumeriansAssyria And BabyloniaThe Story Of MosesJerusalemDamascus, The City Of TradeThe Phoenician SailorsThe Alphabet Follows TradeThe End Of The Ancient WorldDates Connected With The Ancient WorldOnce upon a time there was a man.This man lived hundreds of thousands of years ago.What did he look like?We do not know. We never saw his picture. Deep in the clay of an ancient soil we have sometimes found a few pieces of his skeleton. They were hidden amidst masses of bones of animals that have long since disappeared from the face of the earth. We have taken these bones and they allow us to reconstruct the strange creature who happens to be our ancestor.The great-great-grandfather of the human race was a very ugly and unattractive mammal. He was quite small. The heat of the sun and the biting wind of the cold winter had colored his skin a dark brown. His head and most of his body were covered with long hair. He had very thin but strong fingers which made his hands look like those of a monkey. His forehead was low and his jaw was like the jaw of a wild animal which uses its teeth both as fork and knife.He wore no clothes. He had seen no fire except the flames of the rumbling volcanoes which filled the earth with their smoke and their lava...The Story of Mankind:The Setting of the StageOur Earliest AncestorsPrehistoric ManHieroglyphicsThe Nile ValleyThe Rise and Fall of EgyptMesopotamiaThe SumeriansMosesThe PhoeniciansThe Indo-EuropeansThe Aegean SeaThe GreeksThe Greek CitiesGreek Self-GovernmentGreek LifeThe Greek TheaterThe Persian WarsAthens vs. SpartaAlexander the GreatA Brief Summary of Chapters 1 to 20Rome and CarthageThe Rise of RomeThe Roman EmpireJesus of NazarethThe Fall of RomeThe Rise of ChristianityMohammedCharlemagneThe NorsemenFeudalismThe Age of ChivalryPope vs. EmperorThe CrusadesThe Mediaeval CityMediaeval Self-GovernmentThe Mediaeval WorldMediaeval TradeThe RenaissanceThe Age of ExpressionThe Great DiscoveriesBuddha and ConfuciusThe ReformationThe Age of Religious WarfareThe English RevolutionThe Balance of PowerThe Rise of RussiaRussia vs. SwedenThe Rise of PrussiaThe Mercantile SystemThe American RevolutionThe French RevolutionNapoleonThe Setting of the StageWe live under the shadow of a gigantic question mark.Who are we?Where do we come from?Whither are we bound?Slowly, but with persistent courage, we have been pushing this question mark further and further towards that distant line, beyond the horizon, where we hope to find our answer.We have not gone very far.We still know very little but we have reached the point where (with a fair degree of accuracy) we can guess at many things.In this chapter I shall tell you how (according to our best belief) the stage was set for the first appearance of man...