Tags: history | post-modernism | world

The title of the book is already two mouthfuls, so just imagine the contents...

But this isn't The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire by far; it's a slim paperback you can conceivably finish in a day or two, and it's wonderfully hilarious and thought-provoking.

Those of you who have read Barnes' other books are no stranger to his post-modern style of deconstruction and wit, and its postmodern rhetoric is demonstrated in the most intelligent manner in this book.

Barnes covers the general history of the world in this volume based on biblical stories, beginning with Noah and his Ark, and ending (very appropriately) with the afterlife. Even non-literary readers will appreciate the multiplicity of perspectives Barnes offers, and literary readers will admire it even more.

In fact, Barnes covers almost all areas that the post-modern-aware reader would be concerned by: the accuracy of history, myth-making, and of course the disparity between language and reality.

And tones it all down with humour, so nobody goes crazy after reading it and starts screaming about what's real and what's not. Make time for this enlightening read.