The Greatest "World" Books of All Time

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This list represents a comprehensive and trusted collection of the greatest books. Developed through a specialized algorithm, it brings together 286 'best of' book lists to form a definitive guide to the world's most acclaimed books. For those interested in how these books are chosen, additional details can be found on the rankings page.

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  1. 1. The History of the World by Sir Walter Raleigh

    "The History of the World" is a comprehensive historical work that covers the world's history from the creation, according to the Bible, until 146 BC. The book, written by a renowned English explorer, provides a detailed account of various historical events, civilizations, and cultures. It offers an in-depth analysis of the Roman Empire, the Greek civilization, and the biblical history of the Jews, among others. Despite its title, the book does not cover the entire history of the world, but it provides a significant understanding of the world's history up to the author's contemporary period.

  2. 2. A History of the World in 100 Objects by Neil MacGregor

    This book offers a unique perspective on world history, telling the story of humanity through the examination of 100 man-made objects. The author, a museum director, uses items from the British Museum, ranging from a 2 million-year-old Olduvai stone cutting tool to a contemporary credit card, to explore various themes such as trade, religion, art, science, and politics. The book provides a fascinating lens through which to view the evolution of human civilization.

Reading Statistics

Click the button below to see how many of these books you've read!

Download

If you're interested in downloading this list as a CSV file for use in a spreadsheet application, you can easily do so by clicking the button below. Please note that to ensure a manageable file size and faster download, the CSV will include details for only the first 500 books.

Download