
Days That Changed the World
The 50 Defining Events of World History
Hywel Williams(Author)
Greenfinch (Publisher)
Published on 3. July 2025
Book
Paperback/Softback
256 pages
978-1-5294-4268-7 (ISBN)
Description
The currents of History run deep and often unseen beneath the everyday ripple of events. But now and again the current rises to the surface, and the events of a single day shed an exceptional light on the meaning of the past.
Such events are the subject of Days that Changed the World. Some of the 50 days described here mark the end of an era; others the start of something new. Many are the dates of bloody battles or murders; others of momentous decisions or breathtaking discoveries. All are remembered as powerful symbols of their time.
Our story begins almost 2500 years ago on 28 September 480 before the Christian Era, when the Athenian navy destroyed the Persian invasion fleet in the Bay of Salamis. Had the Persians won we might never have heard the names of Plato, Aristotle or Alexander, nor recognize the word democracy. Charting 50 such defining moments, concluding with Nelson Mandela's release from prison in 1990 and 9/11 a decade after, Days that Changed the World is a unique and fascinating way to portray the story of world history.
Repackaged into a neat and striking format, with a brand new cover and an entirely narrative approach, it is bound to be anyone interested in History's favourite encyclopaedia.
Such events are the subject of Days that Changed the World. Some of the 50 days described here mark the end of an era; others the start of something new. Many are the dates of bloody battles or murders; others of momentous decisions or breathtaking discoveries. All are remembered as powerful symbols of their time.
Our story begins almost 2500 years ago on 28 September 480 before the Christian Era, when the Athenian navy destroyed the Persian invasion fleet in the Bay of Salamis. Had the Persians won we might never have heard the names of Plato, Aristotle or Alexander, nor recognize the word democracy. Charting 50 such defining moments, concluding with Nelson Mandela's release from prison in 1990 and 9/11 a decade after, Days that Changed the World is a unique and fascinating way to portray the story of world history.
Repackaged into a neat and striking format, with a brand new cover and an entirely narrative approach, it is bound to be anyone interested in History's favourite encyclopaedia.
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Quercus Publishing
Product notice
Paperback (UK-B)
Dimensions
Height: 196 mm
Width: 129 mm
Thickness: 19 mm
Weight
186 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-5294-4268-7 (9781529442687)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

E-Book
07/2025
Greenfinch
€3.99
Available for download

E-Book
10/2011
Quercus Publishing
€3.99
Available for download
Person
Hywel Williams is a renowned historian, newspaper columnist, political advisor and TV presenter. He is the author of the famous political expose Guilty Men and the massive Cassell's Chronology of World History.