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Are there any good books which are both accurate and engaging which talk about human world history? (lemmy.ml)

submitted 1 day ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

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Any era is welcome but I'm especially interested in modern history.

I know that having just one book which talks about the history of the whole world would be difficult but let's see if you guys know something (series are welcomed suggestions too).

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[–] modeler 3 points 1 day ago

Here's one that I enjoyed and covers a critical period of modern East Asian history: "The Gate" by François Bizot.

It's him recounting how he travelled to Cambodia and was captured by the Khmer Rouge. He survived ... just ... By forming a relationship with Comrade Duch who

as the Chairman of Tuol Sleng (S-21) prison camp, and head of the Santebal, Kang Kek Iew was responsible for the interrogation and torture of thousands of individuals, and was convicted for the execution of at least 12,272 individuals, including women and children [Wikipedia]

While he covers the history of the Khmer Rouge period, his writing is highly empathic and discusses the suffering of himself and hundreds of thousands of ordinary citizens at the hands of other ordinary citizens and how could this possibly happen. It's a highly emotional book.

Best of luck with your reading!