This biography was written to exorcise an obsession faced by the author after the great painter's death. It was never intended to be published, and there are spots when it is painfully apparent that Van Loon was no writer by profession. However, the very fact that we have here a memoir written by the Rembrandt family physician, makes this a most intimate account of the unfortunate Rembrandt's waning days.

The obsession gripping Van Loon after Rembrandt died, a penniless nobody in society's eyes, was mainly that such a wealthy nation would so abuse one of its own greatest men as to let him starve while richly rewarding others of much less talent. The book is a fascinating account of Rembrandt's struggles with finances and with the narrow mores of the clergy of the day.

The circumstances under which we enter the artist's inner circle are somber, yet the book has many lighthearted examples of Rembrandt's eccentricities and his all-too-temporary successes. The author digresses occasionally into an account of his own life, rather than sticking strictly to Rembrandt's, however, these passages are charming and give a very realistic view of the political and economic aspects of those years in Dutch history.

The book ends rather ironically, with the author mentioning another area in which his country may have missed the boat -- he chronicles how the powers that be negotiated a trade with England of the Dutch possession Niew Ansterdam for some seemingly more profitable tract in Suriname. Of course, the English renamed their new posession "New York".

All in all, an unquestionably delightful account, not just for the art-lover, but the history buff as well.

That is a book not only talking about a great artist but also talking about the unique thought of a Dutchman who lived 500 years ago. It is a book of that time's folk history. You may get a vivid picture of Dutch life over the time tunnel. It also can help you understand the Dutchs at present time.

Endearing re-telling of Rembrandt's life by a loving friend of his. This story is not an impartial and academic view of the artist but rather an intimate description of the everyday life of Rembrandt and those who surrounded him during his time. Some understood the genius and loved him, others considered him no less than a heretic follower of Satan and everybody else in between is mentioned in this wonderfull diary that had not been meant to ever be published.

ONE DOES NOT NEED TO SPEND TO MUCH TIME TRYING TO RESEARCH THE BIBLE AS LONG AS YOU CAN FIND A COPY OF THIS BOOK. IF YOU READ FIVE PAGES YOU'RE HOOKED. REALLY CUTS TO THE CHASE AND DESCRIBES THE LIFE, TIMES AND AGENDAS OF THE DIFFERENT FACTIONS OF THAT ERA. 2-3 THOUSAND YEARS AGO. HISTORY BEING WHAT IT IS, NOBODY KNOWS ANYTHING EXCEPT WHAT THEY READ IN BOOKS ANYHOW, AND YOU HAVE TO TRUST THE AUTHOR, VAN LOON'S OBSERVATIONS ARE SCHOLARLY AND HUMANIST YET HE DOESN'T PREACH TO THE READER. FUN BOOK TO READ AS IS IT'S CLOSE COMPANION "TOLERANCE" BY THE SAME AUTHOR.

I have read a lot of books in my life, but Van Loon's Lives is my all-time favorite book. It made history live and breathe for me, and set me on the path to my own research and degree. I hope this book never goes out of print. I recommend it to everyone.

All of us have that book which we remember fondly from childhood, that one book we saw in the school library which we wish were ours so we could keep it in our own private place and read over and over again. Van Loon's Story of Mankind is that book for me. Van Loon does a tremendous service to the study of history. Even though this is a childrens book Van Loon does not ignore or alter the facts of history so that he can comfort instead of educate the child who may be reading the book. And even though the book reads like one big bedtime story, Van Loon always tries to remain objective and never force his opinion on the reader. When he talks about Napolean he makes it very obvious that he does not like the man or what he stood for, but he also tells the reader that his grandfather fought alongside the man and that he(Van Loon) would have probably fought alongside him as well, that's just the kind of man Napolean was. At an age where you will believe almost anything told to you, especially by a man who has written a book, Van Loon tries to give the child both an appreciation for history and a sense of objectivity about events. This was one of the first books, if not the first book, that showed me that everything is not always black and white, good and evil, but shades and gradations of good and evil. I read this to all my nephews, and when they don't know what to read I hand them this book, hoping it will make them a wiser person for listening to Van Loon's lessons.

As a history minor and professional journalist I've read my share of history books but by far this book is the best I've ever read. Sure there are more scholarly volumes written on the rise of humanity but the author takes our collective tale and puts it in a form in which children can understand and adults can draw joy from. By all means this is a kids book but when you consider how many of us have been pushed away and unknowingly punished by history professors who thought it more important to tell us dates and not the story of the people making the dates significant, this book can be a valuable asset to adults. In a world which is being dumbed down this story, written on a childs level, may even be more apperciated. However to say this text is "DUMB" or lacking intelligence and well crafted words would be an injustice.. It's an incredible book. I have the hard back volume and it will stay in my family for the rest of time. I look forward to the day when my youngest son returns it to me after reading it and says, "Thanks dad". Yes this book is that good.. God Bless.. Ross Guidotti..

This reprint of Henrik Willem van Loon's "Story of Mankind", winner of the 1922 Newberry Award (first awarded) is a treasure chest of history spiced throughout with van Loon's delightful pen and ink drawings. Modern editors have tried to bring the book up to date by including major world events since van Loon originally wrote the book, but their writing doesn't have the insight that made van Loon's writings what they are. Van Loon traces the history of mankind from the beginning, starting with a brief geologic description of planet earth. His writing makes it seem as if you are reading a docu-drama, and you'll keep wishing that he could spend more time on each topic. I especially enjoyed the sections on the middle ages and renaissance, and this book serves as a good introduction to history for children with writing that brings history to life. At times, given when this book was originally written, you may be struck by van Loon's eurocentric flavor, but overall, he does a remarkable job in providing a well balanced presentation of all major world events. He does a great job of looking at major world religions. This is not an exhaustive epic of the history of humanity, rather it is an excellent introduction to history. Sadly, not many histories can claim to be as entertaining as this volume. Perhaps if more were, history would not be viewed with dread.