Hendrik Willem van Loon

Hendrik Willem van Loon was a Dutch-American historian, journalist, and award-winning children's book author. Born on January 14, 1882, in Rotterdam, Netherlands, he immigrated to the United States and became a naturalized American citizen. Van Loon was known for his ability to convey complex historical and scientific concepts in an accessible and entertaining manner. He won the first John Newbery Medal in 1922 for his book 'The Story of Mankind', which presented a lively account of human history for young readers. He passed away on March 11, 1944.

Books

This list of books are ONLY the books that have been ranked on the lists that are aggregated on this site. This is not a comprehensive list of all books by this author.

  1. 1. Van Loon's Lives

    The book in question is a unique blend of biography, autobiography, and fantasy, where the author imagines inviting historical figures from different eras to dinner at his home. Through a series of lively conversations and interactions, the author and his guests explore the lives and thoughts of these famous individuals, ranging from philosophers and scientists to artists and rulers. The narrative provides a creative and insightful look at history, as well as the author's own musings on life, culture, and human progress, all while blurring the lines between past and present in an engaging and whimsical manner.

    The 3082nd Greatest Book of All Time