Beginning in 2012, with The Shortest History of Europe, our Shortest Histories offer clear and concise accounts of broad-ranging topics from the world’s leading subject matter experts. Every book in our Shortest History series can be read in an afternoon and will transform your perspective for a lifetime.

Often humorous and always illuminating, the series has sold over half a million copies across the globe, with rights sold in more than twenty-two countries. 

The series includes The Shortest History of War, The Shortest History of China, The Shortest History of England and, forthcoming in 2022, The Shortest History of India, The Shortest History of the Soviet Union, The Shortest History of Democracy and The Shortest History of the World.