I have never preached to you in times gone by.

I am not going to preach to you today.

You know what the world expects of you--that you shall do your share of
the common task and shall do it bravely and cheerfully.

If these books can help you, so much the better.

And with all my love I dedicate these histories to you and to the boys
and girls who shall keep you company on the voyage through life.

HENDRIK WILLEM VAN LOON.

_Barrow Street, New York City. May 8, xx_.



CONTENTS

CHAPTER

I. PREHISTORIC MAN
II. THE WORLD GROWS COLD
III. END OF THE STONE AGE
IV. THE EARLIEST SCHOOL OF THE HUMAN RACE
V. THE KEY OF STONE
VI. THE LAND OF THE LIVING AND THE LAND OF THE DEAD
VII. THE MAKING OF A STATE
VIII. THE RISE AND FALL OF EGYPT