The Story of Mankind

Originally written for the author’s children, the book explores the history of civilization beginning with early man and taking the reader through the creation of art, writing, religion, and more. All in short, simple to understand chapters.

To qualify for inclusion in the book, Van Loon asked a simple question: ‘Did the person or event in question perform an act without which the entire history of civilization would have been different?’

‘The Story of Mankind’ (1921) was awarded the Newbery Medal for its outstanding contribution to children's literature.

The result is an informative, insightful, and entertaining story of mankind that is suitable for readers of all ages.



Hendrik Willem van Loon (1882 – 1944) was a Dutch-American historian, journalist, and author, best known for his young adult novels that famously brought historical events vividly to life.

Some of his other notable works include: ‘The Fall of the Dutch Republic’, ‘The Rise of the Dutch Kingdom’, ‘The Golden Book of the Dutch Navigators’ and his 1947 autobiography, ‘Report to Saint Peter’.

Loon also famously illustrated his own work and was knighted by Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands in 1942.