This single-volume history is a condensation of my three-volume history of the twentieth century, Empires in Conflict (spanning the years 1900–1933, and published in 1997); Descent into Barbarism (1933–1951, published in 1998) and Challenge to Civilization (1952–1999, published in 1999). In all, the three volumes amounted to 2,700 pages of text. In reducing this to 800 pages I have tried to be faithful to my original portrayal and perspective. Each volume contains its own acknowledgements, bibliography, maps and itemized index, which readers of this volume may wish to consult.
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The Magic Fishbone 神奇的鱼骨头（英文版）
The Magic Fishbone is a funny story by Charles Dickens, an English writer and social critic who created some of the world's best-known fictional characters and is regarded by many as the greatest novelist of the Victorian era. It is included in Shirley Temple's Storybook which is an American children's anthology series hosted and narrated by actress Shirley Temple and appeared in the fourth book, Shirley Temple's Favorite Tales Of Long Ago which was illustrated and published by Random House in 1958. This is the extraordinary story of a very nearly ordinary princess named Alicia. Given a magic fish-bone by a good fairy, Alicia can have whatever she wishes-provided she wishes for it at the right time. But it's never clear when the right time is, and sometimes the best magic is no magic at all…. This funny and unexpectedly impressive tale reveals a Victorian world that existed nowhere but in the mind of a child.
The Life And Adventures Of Nicholas Nickleby（II） 尼
Nicholas Nickleby (or The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby) is a novel by Charles Dickens. Originally published as a serial from 1838 to 1839, it was Dickens's third novel. Left penniless by the death of his improvident father, young Nicholas Nickleby assumes responsibility for his mother and sister and seeks help from his Scrooge-like Uncle Ralph. Instantly disliking Nicholas, Ralph sends him to teach in a school run by the stupidly sadistic Wackford Squeers. Nicholas decides to escape, taking with him the orphan Smike, one of Squeers's most abused young charges, and the two embark on a series of adventurous encounters with an array of humanity's worst and best—greedy fools, corrupt lechers, cheery innocents, and selfless benefactors. 'Nickleby' marks a new development in a further sense as it is the first of Dickens's romances. When it was published the book was an immediate and complete success and established Dickens's lasting reputation.
月亮与六便士：The Moon and Sixpence（英文版）
1919年，毛姆45岁时，发表了这部《月亮与六便士》。小说故事情节相对比较简单：某进入中年的英国券商，忽然决定抛妻弃子，跟随内心长久以来积压着的念头，立志要成为一个艺术家。这个故事的源头来自画家高更的生平故事。这种行为并不为世俗社会所认可。本来作为一个券商，手里有大把大把的钞票可以挥霍过活，为什么非要当什么艺术家？为什么最后连生存都变成一个问题？结果，这位想成为艺术家的券商后来连个住处都找不到，身体也患上了疾病，混到了没有钱买食物果腹，整天挨饿的境地。也许，艺术家的世界，凡夫俗子们永远不会懂。这位艺术家不仅没有被这种境地吓倒，反而愈加坚强地活了下去。而且，不顾身体上的疾病带来的不适，也无视周遭环境的恶劣程度，一心扑在绘画的创作之中。在太平洋的一个叫作塔西提的小岛上，他创作出了让人看一眼就会产生荡气回肠感觉的“杰作”。但此时，他已经溘然长逝。那么，为什么叫“月亮与六便士”？其实，用毛姆自己的话说，这个书名的意义并没有在书里得到应有的展示，而是出自某评论家在评论上述《人性的枷锁》时所写的某句话。原话如下：《人性的枷锁》里的主人公菲利普·凯利（PhilipCarey）被形容为一个太过执着找寻月亮的家伙，以至于他从来没发现过脚底下就有一块六便士。毛姆后来这样解释道：“假如你低头在地上不住地要找寻一块六便士硬币，头也不抬起来一下，那么，你就会丢掉月亮。”
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莫班小姐
本书是19世纪法国唯美主义文学的代表作。作者受欧洲浪漫主义和现实主义思潮的影响，撰写了一位年轻女子为寻找理想的人生伴侣，乔装成男子的一段曲折离奇的故事。作品中精湛细腻的描述所表现出的语言艺术风格，曾受到法国文学家维克多·雨果的欣赏。
