The Timetables of History

Előszó

PUBLISHER'S NOTE
The Timetables of History is a direct translation of much of the material that appears in the original great work on which it is based, Kulturfahrplan (The Culture Timetables), a spectacular success in Germany ever since its creator, Werner Stein, produced it in 1946. In the intervening years between then and now, it has been updated several times and in its various editions has sold in the millions of copies.
Obviously an English-language version of this fascinating and prestigious work was eminently desirable, but for more than twenty years the difficulties appeared to be so great as to make a translation impracticable, both from an editorial and an economic standpoint.
Fortunately, in the late I960's a man emerged who was not only eager to tackle the task but ideally equipped to accomphsh it. Bernard Grun, born in the Czech part of the old Austro-Hungarian monarchy and educated in law and philosophy at the universities of Prague and Vienna, had by then been settled in London for decades. An eminent musicologist, he was almost as well-known as a historian with an encyclopedic talent and turn of mind. Completely bilingual in German and English, he could translate, delete, revise, and add fresh material, so that a new volume would emerge that would be a pertinent and useful one for the English-language reading public. Additionally, to make sure that sufficient emphasis was given to American topics, the manuscript was then turned over to an American scholar, Wallace Brockway, whose authority and experience both in history and in compiling encyclopedic works were very similar to Mr. Grun's.
Sadly, after several years of work on the project, both men died before the first edition of this book could be printed and published, and this was a source of deep regret to all of us. We are grateful to a number of people for their help in checking, rounding off, updating, and completing what had been left unfinished, and in this connection acknowledgments are due to Helen Barrow, Sophie Sorkin, and Elise Sachs. Special acknowledgments go to Laurence Urdang and his firm, who not only did a superb job for the first edition, but also saw to the complete expanding of this new, updated edition.
Peter Schwed
Chairman of the Editorial Board Vissza

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'At a glance, The Timetables of History can open our vision to vistas of human experience and enrich our understanding of the whole human past and of ourselves/'
—from the Foreword by Daniel J, Boorstin
Never before has the rich progress of human history - the creation of mankind's ideas, inventions, and arts; the achievements of preeminent figures; the rise and fall of nations and empires-been documented with such clarity and drama.
The Timetables of History is a feast for the mind and imagination. It gives readers instant access—year by year—to every epoch-making event that occurred across the globe. For example, one quick glance reveals that the fourth decade a.d. witnessed the founding of London, the birth of Plutarch, and the missionary travels of the apostle Paul.
From ancient to modern times TJw Timetables of History distills the essence of civilization, highlighting over 30,000 significant moments in:
• History and politics • The visual arts
• Literature and theater • Music
• Religion, philosophy, and • Science, technology, and growth learning • Daily life
Here is a concurrent overview of 7,000 years of civilization-an indispensable book for every student and a joy for every reader.
"A unique, encyclopedic book rewarding, informative, entertaining." -The Wall Street Journal
"Fascinating and useful " -Arthur Schlesinger, Jr.
Pulitzer Prize winner in History Vissza