Ten Reasons to Study World History

My Google Reader just brought me this post by Suzanne Temple. I copy it below for your enjoyment!

We just finished listening to A Little History of the World by E.H. Gombrich, read by Ralph Coshen. Ana-Braga Henebry recommended it at the Love2Learn blog and we would like to thank her for introducing us to this remarkable audio. We loved every minute of it, and that's saying a lot because it is nine hours long!

Ten Reasons to Study World History:

• World History is the story of where we came from.
• World History puts us in contact with those people and cultures that developed, discovered, and or invented many of the things we rely upon for life today. This way, we know who to thank for our alphabet, for example, language, numerical system, religion, or system of government.
  
• The study of World History presents a broad tapestry of human thought and behavior throughout time which gives us insight into human nature.
  
• History repeats itself. While we may not be able to change the course of modern events entirely, we can take the lessons from history and use them to change ourselves and influence our culture.
  
• The study of World History makes us grateful for the blessings of modern life. I'd rather pay a mortgage on a house in the suburbs, for example, than live in a cold and drafty castle-- thank you.
• A study of World History assists in the moral life. History is replete with examples of good men to imitate and bad men to learn from by negative example.
• The study of history helps us to understand the meaning of historical references in literature, poetry, and political writing. What, for example, is the proverbial "Gordian Knot?"
• The study of World History breathes life into the study of world geography. With a rich understanding of World History, maps come alive with the stories of the people who lived there, cultivated the land, and explored the seas.
• The study of World History helps us to see how people viewed themselves and events during their lifetimes and how those same things are viewed today. It is a lesson in perspective and objectivity.
• The study of World History helps us to see how very small we are, and is the backdrop on which we place all detailed studies of particular histories.