The Story of Mankind by Hendrik Willem Van Loon (Annotated)

The book "The Story of Mankind" by Hendrik Van Loon's offers an intriguing look into both the history it explains - and the period it had been authored -. The book could be more appreciated in case you understand its historical context of publication. Here is an overview: The Early 20th Century World Context. Post-World War I Era: The book was produced shortly after World War I, when political, social, along with technological changes were deep. The war altered national borders, demolished empires and created new nations. The Roaring Twenties: " The 1920s, called the Roaring Twenties, was a period of financial progress in the United States and parts of Europe. The creation of new technologies, cultural movements along with a change in social customs were visible during this era, particularly in urbanized areas. Intellectual and Cultural Movements: The early twentieth century was chock-full cultural and intellectual trends including Modernism in literature and art, the Harlem Renaissance, and the onset of the Jazz Age. These movements questioned established conventions and introduced novel artistic styles. The Personal Context of Van Loon. Dutch-American Perspective: Van Loon wrote with a specific perspective as a Dutch-American. He'd encountered European culture and history firsthand and then observed the United States' rapid development and change. Educational and Professional Background: Van Loon was educated: He specialized in history and the arts in Europe. His professional and academic expertise as a journalist as well as illustrator also shaped his style of writing history that was narrative and accessible.