Learning plan cover

Learn more about the history of the world

LEARNING PLAN

Learn more about the history of the world

This comprehensive world history journey is essential for anyone seeking to understand how our past shapes present-day societies, politics, and global relationships. It's particularly valuable for students, professionals in international fields, educators, and curious lifelong learners who want to move beyond isolated facts to grasp the interconnected forces that have created our modern world.

ByCommunity User
2 h 18 m
12 coursesUpdated 4 days ago
SapiensGuns, Germs, and SteelTrue Ancient World: Foundations of Human Civilization12 sources

How This Learning Plan Was Made

This plan was crafted by BeFreed’s proprietary AI to help you learn Learn more about the history of the world with ease. It is curated from in-depth research on the topic and structured around the most effective learning journeys proven by BeFreed users.

Each episode delivers bite-sized, high-impact lessons distilled from world-class sources — bestselling books, research papers, and expert insights. Together, they form a sophisticated yet accessible path to mastering Learn more about the history of the world.

What You'll Learn

  • Trace human evolution from prehistoric origins through the birth of ancient civilizations and early empires
  • Understand how medieval societies, Renaissance innovation, and global exploration shaped the modern world
  • Analyze the transformative impact of revolutions, world wars, and technological progress on contemporary society
  • Identify recurring patterns and grand narratives that reveal both humanity's achievements and ongoing challenges
  • Develop critical thinking skills to connect historical events across time periods and cultures

Discover how our species evolved and built the first great civilizations—from cognitive revolution to the rise of empires in Egypt, Mesopotamia, and beyond.

Sapiens cover
Sapiens

A sweeping narrative of human history

9 m
Guns, Germs, and Steel cover
Guns, Germs, and Steel

Historical analysis of how geography shaped human societies and civilizations.

9 m
podcast cover
The Oxford History of Ancient Egypt1491The Peloponnesian WarThe Cambridge Ancient History
6 sources
True Ancient World: Foundations of Human Civilization

Explore how ancient civilizations from Egypt to Mesopotamia, China to the Americas built the innovations, governance systems, and cultural foundations that still shape our modern world today.

7 m

Journey through the Middle Ages, Renaissance, and the age of exploration when great empires rose, trade routes connected continents, and the foundations of our modern world took shape.

Powers and Thrones cover
Powers and Thrones

An epic journey through medieval Europe, exploring the forces that shaped our world from Rome's fall to the Renaissance.

11 m
The Silk Roads cover
The Silk Roads

A sweeping reinterpretation of world history, shifting focus to Central Asia as the pivotal region shaping global civilization.

9 m
podcast cover
Powers and ThronesMiddle Ages | Definition, Dates, Characteristics, & Facts | BritannicaEarly modern period - WikipediaMetropolis
6 sources
Four Great Ages: Medieval to Modern Cities

A journey through European history exploring the Middle Ages, Early Modern period, Contemporary Age, and today's cities. Perfect study guide covering how societies, politics, and urban life transformed over 1,500 years.

14 m

Understand the dramatic upheavals of the 20th century—world wars, ideological conflicts, and rapid technological change—that created the interconnected world we inhabit today.

The Second World War cover
The Second World War

History's greatest conflict through the eyes of its greatest defender.

8 m
podcast cover
World War II | Facts, Summary, History, Dates, Combatants, & CausesSecond World War - causes, major events, and its global impactsource 3What Were the Consequences of WWII?
6 sources
WWII: The War That Remade Everything

Explore how World War II transformed our world in just six years - from cavalry charges to atomic bombs, reshaping technology, politics, and civilization itself through the deadliest conflict in human history.

15 m
The Lessons of History cover
The Lessons of History

A concise exploration of human history's patterns and lessons, distilling wisdom from millennia of civilization's triumphs and failures.

10 m

Step back to see the big picture—explore overarching themes, recurring patterns, and the surprising ways history reveals both humanity's progress and persistent challenges.

podcast cover
The Silk RoadsSapiensThe Lessons of HistoryWorld History Timeline: Key Eras & Civilizations - MindMap AI
6 sources
The Complete History of Human Civilization

Journey through world history from the cognitive revolution to modern times, exploring how trade routes, shared beliefs, and grand transitions shaped our interconnected world. Discover why Asia was civilization's true center and what patterns from the past reveal about our future.

9 m
Enlightenment Now cover
Enlightenment Now

The case for reason, science, and human progress.

9 m
podcast cover
source 1source 2source 3source 4
6 sources
The Grand Tapestry: World History and Politics

Journey through millennia of human civilization, from ancient Silk Road networks to modern global politics. Explore how empires rose and fell, political systems evolved, and the same fundamental challenges of power, trade, and cooperation echo across time.

28 m

From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco

BeFreed Brings Together A Global Community Of 200,000+ Curious Minds

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA
platform
comments
12
likes
117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum
platform
comments
12
likes
108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC
platform
comments
254
likes
17

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful
platform
comments
96
likes
4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon
platform
comments
201
thumbsUp
16

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn
platform
comments
37
likes
483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA
platform
comments
12
likes
117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum
platform
comments
12
likes
108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC
platform
comments
254
likes
17

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful
platform
comments
96
likes
4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon
platform
comments
201
thumbsUp
16

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn
platform
comments
37
likes
483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA
platform
comments
12
likes
117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum
platform
comments
12
likes
108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC
platform
comments
254
likes
17

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful
platform
comments
96
likes
4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon
platform
comments
201
thumbsUp
16

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn
platform
comments
37
likes
483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu
platform
star
star
star
star
star

See More Stories?

How people are talking about BeFreed across the web
Start your learning journey, now