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Has there ever been a history of the world as readable as this? In The Human Story , James C. Davis takes us on a journey to ancient times, telling how peoples of the world settled down and founded cities, conquered neighbors, and established religions, and continues over the course of history, when they fought two nearly global wars and journeyed into space. Daviss account is swift and clear, never dull or dry. He lightens it with pungent anecdotes and witty quotes. Although this compact volume may not be hard to pick up, its definitely hard to put down. For example, on the death of Alexander the Great, who in a decade had never lost a single battle, and who had staked out an empire that spanned the entire Near East and Egypt, Davis writes: When they heard how ill he was, the kings devoted troops insisted on seeing him. He couldnt speak, but as his soldiers -- every one -- filed by in silence, Alexanders eyes uttered his farewells. He died in June 323 B.C. , at the ripe old age of thirty-two. In similar fashion Davis recounts Russias triumph in the space race as it happened on an autumn night in 1957: A bugle sounded, flames erupted, and with a roar like rolling thunder, Russias rocket lifted off. It bore aloft the earths first artificial satellite, a shiny sphere the size of a basketball. Its name was Sputnik, meaning companion or fellow traveler (through space). The watchers shouted, Off. Shes off. Our babys off! Some danced; others kissed and waved their arms. Though we live in an age of many doubts, James C. Davis thinks we humans are advancing. As The Human Story ends, he concludes, The worlds still cruel; thats understood, / But once was worse. So far so good. Author: James C. Davis Language: EnglishBinding: PaperbackPages: 480Publisher: Harper PerennialPublication Date: 2005-07-26
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