World Civ. at Grandpa's Knee

1922 Newbery Medal (the very first one!), The Story of Mankind by Hendrik Willem van Loon

The author writes to children as though they are gathered around him at the hearth, being entertained and educated at the same time. His explanation of Europe's wars during the 19th century led right into the reasons for WWI. I had never gotten a good picture of those events unfolding, until now.