A Short History of the World is written by English author H. G. Wells. This book, first published in 1922, is an account of human history. The author’s intention was to make it a book which can help readers understand the great adventure of mankind. Significance of this book can be ascertained by the fact that, in 1934, Albert Einstein recommended the book for the study of history as a means of interpreting progress in civilization.

The later editions of the book were published with updated accounts of world events. The scientific knowledge of the time regarding the history of Earth and life has been comprehensibly summarized in the book. Starting with its origins, it goes on to explain the development of the Earth and life on Earth and the development of humankind. A Short History of the World ends with the outcome of the First World War, the Russian famine of 1921, and the League of Nations in 1922.