A People’s History of the World

From the Stone Age to the New Millennium

By: Chris Harman

Narrated by: Napoleon Ryan

Chris Harman describes the shape and course of human history as a narrative of ordinary people forming and re-forming complex societies in pursuit of common human goals. Interacting with the forces of technological change as well as the impact of powerful individuals and revolutionary ideas, these societies have engendered events familiar to every schoolchild - from the empires of antiquity to the world wars of the 20th century.

In a bravura conclusion, Chris Harman exposes the reductive complacency of contemporary capitalism, and asks, in a world riven as never before by suffering and inequality, why we imagine that it can - or should - survive much longer. Ambitious, provocative and invigorating, A People's History of the World delivers a vital corrective to traditional history, as well as a powerful sense of the deep currents of humanity which surge beneath the froth of government.

©2017 Verso (P)2017 Tantor

Critic reviews

“I have had many people ask me if there is a book which does for world history what my book A People's History of the United States does for this country. I always responded that I know of only one book that accomplishes this extremely difficult task, and that is Chris Harman's A People's History of the World. It is an indispensable volume on my reference bookshelf." (Howard Zinn)

Should've been narrated by anyone else

The information is indispensable, but the narration is terrible. It sounds as if he's trying to make his performance the focal point instead of book.

Audiobook version is painful!

Reading and listening to this book are two wholly different experiences. The narrator’s voice is the most affected and pretentious-sounding voice I’ve ever heard. And I like English accents! But this guy … like nails on a chalkboard. I cannot finish it.
Go with the print version.

awesome!

love the theme, and the author never lost sight of his overall message throughout. great writing and the narrator made the whole thing sound like an action movie!

Excellent!

A great book and a great reading. A real counter balance to your standard approach to historians focus on the rich and famous. Horrifying at times but not without moments of irony and humor. Good stuff!

Well written and compelling!

This book is beautifully written and has a complimenting voice actor accompanying it. I have learned so much and anticipate more to come. As a history major I'm used to listening to history lecture after lecture but I could listen to this all day. Thank you! AUDIBLE 20 REVIEW SWEEPSTAKES ENTRY