The Timetables of History: A Horizontal Linkage of People and Events

by Bernard Grun

Based on Werner Stein's Kulturfahrplan.

Genres: History, Reference, Nonfiction, World History, Historical, Science, Politics

676 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1946

Reviews

[Ted · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is basically an English translation, with additions, of the 1946 Kulturfahrplan (Culture timetables) produced by the German scholar Werner Stein. It became very popular in Europe immediately, but for various reasons resisted translation into English.

Finally, over twenty years later, a man emerged in London who was “eager to tackle the task”, and eminently qualified. From the Publisher’s Note:

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 one for the English-language reading public.

The task grew, an American scholar (Wallace Brockway) was added to the team – but before the project was complete both Grun and Brockway died.

Finally, in 1975, the first English edition appeared. I have the 1979 edition published by Simon and Schuster.


so what IS it, reviewer?

Well. Let me first say that the book is still in print, and by now has reached its fourth edition. Again quoting from the publisher’s blurb on Amazon,

A vast and absorbing resource, the fourth edition of The Timetables of ™History spans millennia of human history. Unlike any other reference volume, this book gives a sweeping overview of the making of the contemporary world by mapping out at a glance what was happening simultaneously, from the dawn of history to the present day.

With nearly 100 pages of new material, including:

-Recent breakthroughs in science and technology
-New achievements in the visual arts and music
-Milestones in religion, philosophy, and learning
-The rise and fall of nations and the emergence of historical figures
-Landmarks in the drama of daily life around the world

Yes, I know, that’s really not very revealing.

My book is a very large-format paperback. Exactly the size of a standard sheet of paper (8 ½ x 11), 2 inches think, almost 700 pages. The last 80 pages a very detailed index.


Let’s open it to a random page, say 250.

The book is designed to be perused two pages at a time. That is, the left & right hand pages go together.

Across the top of the left-hand pages are three column headings:

History, Politics
Literature, Theater
Religion, Philosophy, Learning

On the right-hand pages are four headings:

Visual Arts
Music
Science, Technology, Growth
Daily Life

And down the outer edges of both pages 250 & 251 appear these years:

1566
1567
1568
1569

There are lines in between all the rows and columns, forming boxes: 7 columns, 4 years, 28 boxes.

Let’s take the year 1568’s boxes. I won’t quote everything, but try to give an idea, leaving out many details of the entries.

1568 – History, Politics: mentions a peace between Selim II and Maximilian II; Mary Queen of Scots taking refuge in England; the second War of Religion ends in France; two counts found guilty of treason in Brussels and beheaded; the York Conference into Queen Mary’s conduct opens; Don Carlos, son of Philip II of Spain, d. (born 1545)
1568 - Literature, Theater: “First modern eisteddfod for Welsh music and literature held at Caerwys. First public theater presentation in Madrid.”
1568 – Religion, Philosophy, Learning: the future Pope Urban VIII born; first translation of the Bible into Czech; the “Bishop’s Bible”; Tommaso Campanella, Italian philosopher, born; English College founded to train Jesuit missionaries for work in England; Jesuit missionaries welcomed in Japan; Pope Pius V issues revised Brevarium Romanum.
1568 – Visual Arts: Jan Breughel born; Peter Breughel, "The Faithlessness of the World" [the image below is not in the book, nor are any other images]; de Navarrete appointed court painter to Philip II of Spain; Robert Smythson works on Longleat House, Wiltshire; Vignola (1507-1573) begins building the Gesu Church in Rome.

1568 – Music: William Whytbroke, Eng. cleric and composer, dies (born 1495)
1568 - Science, Tech., Growth – Gerardus Mercator devises cylindrical projection for charts; Costanzo Varolio studies the anatomy of the human brain.
1568 – Daily Life: Alexander Nowell, Dean of St. Paul’s, London, invents bottled beer; The Company of London Bricklayers and Tylers incorporated.


I should point out that as one comes forward in time, the information becomes more copious. The year 1975 for example occupies an entire pair of pages, and parts of the page-pairs on either side of it!

And of course, the opposite – going back in time, much less data. On pages 188-89, there are a dozen years shown (1331-1342), with almost all the 84 boxes blank. And in the very early pages on the book, the years are grouped together. Pages 28,29 have these row headings: 251 to 300; 301 to 350; 351 to 400.


for reference and perusal … for a rainy day

Of course the book isn’t meant to be read from cover to cover. (Unless you’re a … (would peculiar be an inoffensive word?) … reader.)

But how about that “reference” I’ve used. Surely today, on-line, the use of such a book has been diminished drastically, no?

Here’s a link to the 1568 entry on Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1568

Some may decide, yes the book is not much use any more. Others (myself included) may just find it fun – not to say useful, if you’re a writer of historic fiction.

Obviously, up to the present, the publisher has found it worthwhile to not only keep the book in print, but to update it.


. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Previous review: The Autobiography of Malcom X
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Older review: Homage to Catalonia grumpy review?

Previous library review: Late Bloomers disappointing
Next library review: The Face of Battle Agincourt, Waterloo, the Somme

[Danny McCaffrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is criminally under utilized. I found it on some parents coffee table in college and have searched many years for it since. It is a brilliant approach towards visualizing history, an often daunting subject to approach.

Each page is divided into columns. History & Politics, Literature & Theater, Religion Philosophy Learning, Visual Arts, Music, Science Technology Growth, and Daily Life. Each year gets a short listing of the most prominent events and/or achievements of that time.

As a musician it helps me better picture the world at the time when I can relate it to a timeline I am more familiar with.

A must buy for any parent looking to educate their kids in the most effective way possible.

[Jenn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have carted the third edition around with me for years, but I rarely flip through it anymore. Much like reading archaeology books that are fifty years out of date and based on debunked assumptions, this tome is more notable for its omissions than its content now.
Since it is based on the Kulturfahrplan, it is heavily Eurocentric. China and 90% of Africa, and 60% of South America are completely ignored, but we learn when sequins were first made in Venice. Not that it doesn't make for interesting reading, it's just going to make your unfortunate homeschooled children think that only white folks do anything of lasting historical importance.

[Rose Rosetree · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have a special passion for this book. Ever since I learned about Sociology of Knowledge (in college) and then History of Ideas and, more recently, Big History, hello!

I've known that a book like "The Timetables of History" would be my equivalent of Trivial Pursuit.
Not as in TRIVIAL.
But as in a fascinating, ever-fresh pursuit.

[A. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the organization of this book! It does leave a lot out, but there's space to write in missing information. I love that there are columns that separate history by subject. This is a very well organized presentation of history along a timeline. This would be great supplementary material for a student, or outline for a teacher or homeschooling parent.

I am homeschooling my daughter, and I am following a Classical model where all subjects are taught sequentially through time. There's plenty of room to add in information pertinent to mathematical discoveries, art history, philosophy, etc.

This book is definitely lacking in diversity, but I filled in individuals and events that I want to teach about, such as Sofonisba Anguissola. There is also info missing that surprised me, such as the eruption of Mount Vesuvius. I would still rate this 5 stars as there is space to fill in missing information. This is like a book of centuries with the leg work done for you.

[Shauna · Rating 5 out of 5]

We use this almost everyday in homeschool. So fascinating. We read about what else was "going on in history." Who knew that the sons of Mosiah were alive during the reign of Julius Caesar? Malachi loves concise history, these throughout lists of historical facts divided by year and category thoroughly fit the bill!

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yes, I flipped through a reference book page to page (I used to read encyclopedias and atlases from cover to cover too as a kid). I didn't finish it though - got to 1900 (which is only about 55% of the way through the book!) and returned it to the library.

The format of this is pretty interesting, although you can imagine now how this would be infinitely easier to navigate as a hypertext document. I thought the intro was also pretty straight forward about the book's flaws and its narrow way of depicting history, which is always heartening to see. A cool concept that entertained me for a few days 👍

[Lia · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a basic north-western hemisphere-centric history guide, it's useful. It gives the reader a good perspective of what major events were happening around the same time and includes major works of architecture, literature, music, and art, as well as general information. Each entry is less than one sentence.

[Feliks · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not really a book to 'read'; it's more like a chart. Arranged by year and type of activity: art, war, politics, music, births/deaths, nature. Handy as a desk-reference if you're interested in a specific year; but not something to read page-by-page. Also: no photographs.

[Tinwerume · Rating 1 out of 5]

It's *literally* a timetable. One row for every year, with heavy focus on events in Western Europe. Pretty much strictly inferior to the Wikipedia page for each year. Don't bother.

[Traveller · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was rather disappointed in this book. The scope of it ended up limiting the usefulness.

Also, I would perhaps have structured it in such a way as not to waste so much space, (which not only wastes paper but makes the book very bulky physically speaking).

In it's current format, one cannot really look up events unless you know the exact date on which they ocurred, and if you already know that, you probably already know more about the event than the book has to offer...

It's fine as a coffee table book to browse through, but it's less useful as a tool when more focussed study is involved.

[Gavin Rodgers · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a reference work, not a book to be read all the way through. Regardless, I did just that when I was twelve years old. Why? I guess I just must have had quite a bit of time on my hands back then. Just to save trees, I'm sure this book will never be published again (even though it can be a helpful resource to have in one's library).

[Sue K · Rating 5 out of 5]

Impressive. Would like to see this updated again. As an amateur historian with a major genealogy bent, I find this to be a rich resource guide that I get lost in for hours!
Ooops! Have discovered there is a newer version!

[Nick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Helps give history perspective. Something it always desperately needs.

[Pato Myers · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty interesting.

[Serena W. Sorrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m in love~! This is amazing.

[Dayla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Much like the all-encompassing books of Will and Ariel Durant, this book lists art, history, literature, philosophy, poetry, and science for any year of civilization

[Brian Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Doesn't fit on standard bookshelves.

[cauldronofevil · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a reference book so I pop in and out of it as needed. In this case I was looking up the 1199 period. The book is not deep but wide, giving one to five sentences per year.

[Aaron · Rating 4 out of 5]

A novel and interesting approach to teaching history. This book, as the title says, provides a timetable where you can look up what the human race was doing at various times and places throughout history. Each year or era is cross indexed with a sphere of human activity, such as arts, politics, science, etc. The book is oversize and runs a whopping 676 pages, and even then the entries are necessarily short in order to cover the whole of human history.

The book's strength is apparent at first glance. It is very accessible and allows even the most casual reader a good opportunity to flip open to any page and get a sense of the major events and concerns of a given time. What were the scientific or philosophical issues during the time when Charlemagne was on his conquests? It's convenient and fun. Grade school and high school classrooms and libraries would do well to have a copy of this book on hand.

I recommend the book, but I must give a few cautions. You will find, of course, the same problems and biases that affect every other history book written. The only context provided for interpreting events (besides the reader's prior familiarity) is other, equally brief, entries; this leads any given entry open to misinterpretation. Furthermore, there are always inherent biases in selecting or describing meaningful events. For example, in the 6th and 5th century BC there is a summation of Learning and Philosophy along the lines of "Humankind reaches a pinnacle of wisdom," or so; this is in reference to Socrates and the Pre-Socratic Greek philosophers, Confucius, Lao Tzu, Buddha, Old Testament Jewish scholars, and various other unrelated but approximately concurrent notable philosophical people and groups. It's an interesting idea (and the editors were not the first to propose it), but it's a proposition and not a historical "fact." The entire book is subject to the same kind of simplification and "fudging" of information, and experts would almost certainly take issue with much or all of the material. Of course, you can decide for yourself what is fair and what's hair splitting.

Finally, this approach necessarily has to partition time into single years or spans of years, providing a snapshot of what happened in that time frame. It is not well suited for capturing trends and events that span more than one given time frame. For example, it would have a hard time pinpointing origins of capitalism in practice or in ideas in a given year or decade, and any attempt to cover that topic would have to select a more or less arbitrary point for reference, or just to make mention in passing. That makes it hard to use as a reference for such abstract and nebulous ideas and concepts. In short, it provides a lot of information, but it can't cover everything and it's fairly limited as a reference tool for a serious scholar.

So given its flaws and limitations, I commend the editors for taking on this mammoth task and for organizing and writing it in such an accessible way. If you're interested in history, give it a look. It's worth checking out.

[Yves · Rating 3 out of 5]

This weighty tome I picked up & was immediately engrossed, seeing year-by-year what the human race was building ... and destroying ... simultaneously. It is also cool to have around when reading about a specific time period.

These kind of books are also absolutely invaluable for home schooling giving parents historical context they would otherwise not have.

As a reference work to assign projects to students or for students to find a topic to write a report, this book has no peer. Example, you flip open the book to any year and you have 28 distinct squares each with an important event that can be researched and developed.

[T · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is, of course, not a book you can exactly sit through and read casually. However it is endlessly fascinating to me and it is a fun guide for just flipping through or if I am trying to place something, contextually, as a writer.

I actually own two editions of this book-- one was being given away at a library because it was too old an edition to be truly useful any more, and now I also have this newest edition of the book.

I may not have an opportunity to use it often, but it remains a delight in my collection.

[K.Q. Webster · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's pretty dry just to read through (which I did) but still interesting when a random fact pops up that sparks interest. I'd recommend it as a skimming book. If there's a year you're interested in, you can just turn to it. Or you could open to a random page every once in a while and find something intriguing. In any case, the format makes it easy to use and lines events up nicely.

[Leonard Pierce · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grun and Stein's approach to history made a huge splash at the time, and really changed the way popular history was written, bringing about the "everyday life" totalist approach that's really familiar to us today.

[Ken · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have an older edition...it ends with 1978....so I need to get a new one. This is a 'must have' book for anyone interested in history and the interaction of events and people from political or military events, religion, literature, the arts, etc. I constantly refer to it.

[Lissa Notreallywolf · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reference books don't show up much here on Goodreads but this is a great at hand reference for those of us who don't confuse history with an elephantine recall of dates. You get to see music, culture, literature alongside technology which is sometimes a real wake-up call.

[Brenda Cregor · Rating 5 out of 5]

My edition of this non-fiction text is not flashy, at all.
What I like about the way the text and information is organized, is that you can see what was going on with different cultures all over the world, at the same time, on the same page, with little effort.

[Julaine]

Source: Book Club

[Dr. Carl Ludwig Dorsch · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not the most successful format, as I recall.

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

this isn't exactly a page-turner, but if you need to quickly find out when some major world event happened, this is the reference for you.