Quick and easy reads on the history of the world's nations, now in a curated box-set. The Shortest History of China by Linda Jaivin ?Essential reading? Julia Lovell The Shortest History of Israel and Palestine by Michael Scott-Baumann ?A masterpiece of clarity, concision and balance? Adam Sutcliffe The Shortest History of the Soviet Union by Sheila Fitzpatrick ?Immensely readable? Slavoj ?izek The Shortest History of India by John Zubrzycki ?A delight to read? John Keay The Shortest History of the Crown by Stephen Bates ?A lively, concise guide? BBC History