History for ready reference, Volumes 1 to 5

"History for Ready Reference, Volumes 1 to 5" by J. N. Larned is a comprehensive historical compilation from the late 1800s, crafted to be a reader's gateway to a massive collection of historical insights and writings available in English. Spanning five core books and two extra volumes, the series serves as a rich reservoir of important historical happenings, people, and texts, designed for learners, educators, and anyone with a passion for history. The introduction sets out the author's goals and organizational structure, highlighting its twin purpose: showcasing excellent historical writings and arranging them in a user-friendly format. Larned details the thorough selection process, explaining how he gathered and preserved noteworthy pieces from various historians and experts, while also incorporating critical documents like charters and announcements. Structured alphabetically and chronologically, the collection provides a more captivating journey than standard encyclopedic summaries, promising easy exploration of the extensive historical content within.