My first contact with Isaac Asimov's work was throu more
My first contact with Isaac Asimov's work was through his science-fiction novels as a teenager,like most of his readers I would think.For years I knew him as a sci-fi writer who occasionally wrote mystery and pure science books.Never would I have thought that he had also tried his hand in history,which is my passion.So you can imagine how I felt when I discovered this little treasure,combining my favorite writer with my favorite subject.Like Homer Simpson when he discovered chocolate covered bacon (well,almost...).
Of course,I had this nagging fear that it would have serious gaps and superficial explanations.I mean,how many fields of knowledge can a single human being know about anyway? Apparently, more than I thought possible.
Asimov has a good grasp of most of the important historical events and knows how to put them in context.It has to be said however,that the history of the English-speaking people and of more recent times receive more emphasis.But the important thing, is Asimov's uncanny ability to recognize the inner workings behind historical events and their long-term consequences.I've stopped counting the number of books I've read written by supposed experts loaded with details and references that the only response they get after I'm done is "why's this thing so important anyway?"
Asimov on the other hand, earned the nickname "The Great Explainer of our Age" from Carl Sagan for good reason...
Anyway just to end this review, I have to say that I found this book very useful in my studies as well as a pleasurable read in itself.It's already a relatively hard book to find and will probably be even more so in the future, so my advise would be,if you get a chance to acquire it, do it. less
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