A Short History of the World
A Short History of the World, published in 1922, is H. G. Wells's condensation of his much longer Outline of History into a single volume for ordinary readers. It begins with the earth in space and the beginnings of life, passes through the first human societies, the early empires, Greece, Rome, the rise of Christianity and Islam, the Mongols, the Renaissance and the age of discovery, and ends with the First World War and the founding of the League of Nations. Wells writes history as the story of one human species and argues throughout for the growth of a common world civilization. The sixty-odd brief chapters are brisk and opinionated and were designed to be read straight through. The full text is available to read online in your browser on Vinteuil, and the first chapter is free.
Start reading right away, without signing up. The complete text is included in Vinteuil Reading, or yours forever with a one-time purchase.
Frequently asked questions about A Short History of the World
A Short History of the World by H. G. Wells can be read online on Vinteuil, directly in your browser. The first chapter is free for everyone; the complete book is included in Vinteuil Reading ($4.99/month or $39.99/year) or yours forever for $2.99.
Can I read A Short History of the World online?
Yes. A Short History of the World opens right on this page, in a reader designed for long reading: adjustable text size, light, sepia and dark themes, a clickable table of contents and your place saved when you are signed in. No download or app is needed.
Is A Short History of the World free to read on Vinteuil?
The first chapter of A Short History of the World is free, without an account. To read the whole book, either buy its online reading for $2.99 (£2.99 in the UK) and keep it forever, or subscribe to Vinteuil Reading for $4.99/month (£4.99/month in the UK) or $39.99/year, with 1 month free for new subscribers. The subscription opens every book in the library and can be cancelled at any time.
Is A Short History of the World in the public domain?
Yes. A Short History of the World by H. G. Wells is a public-domain work. Vinteuil offers a carefully prepared digital edition made for comfortable reading on screen.
How long does it take to read A Short History of the World?
About 7 h 53 min of reading, at an average reading pace. Your place is saved automatically when you are signed in, so you can read in several sittings and on several devices.
What kind of book is A Short History of the World?
A Short History of the World by H. G. Wells is filed under "History" in the Vinteuil library.
