Author: Chris Harman
Publisher & Date: Verso, 2 May 2017
Page Count: 752 pages
ISBN: 978-1786630810
Age/Reading Level: High school/Adult
Representation:
Other Information:
Book Information
From the earliest human societies to the Holy Roman Empire, from the Middle Ages to the Enlightenment, from the Industrial Revolution to the end of the twentieth century, Chris Harman provides a brilliant and comprehensive history of the human race. Eschewing the standard accounts of “Great Men,” of dates and kings, Harman offers a groundbreaking counter-history, a breathtaking sweep across the centuries in the tradition of “history from below.”
In a fiery narrative, he shows how ordinary men and women were involved in creating and changing society and how conflict between classes was often at the core of these developments. While many scholars see the victory of capitalism as now safely secured, Harman explains the rise and fall of societies and civilizations throughout the ages and demonstrates that history moves ever onward in every age.
A vital corrective to traditional history, A People’s History of the World is essential reading for anyone interested in how society has changed and developed and the possibilities for further radical progress.
Challenges & Bans
The book is often challenged for what is argued is a “Marxist perspective” and a potential to oversimplify complex narratives and criticisms of contemporary capitalism, which some see as drawing biased conclusions.
Specific Challenges*:
Awards & Accolades
No current awards to date
