A Ranking Of The Most Influential Persons In History

For anybody who likes this book, check out Human Accomplishment by Charles Murray, a bigger (and more scholarly) attempt to categorize four thousand important people in history. I'm sure lots of readers would like to change the order (and/or contents) of Hart's list of 100 influential people, and somehow get offended that Hart ranked so-and-so higher than such-and-such, but this book is just plain fun to read, especially if you are from Scotland (which is disproportionately represented).

This book is great for you History Nuts, and even entertaining for those that are not. I read it to write a paper on who I thought the ten most influential people in history are. Hart argues his point well and you may change your mind on a few of your once-fixed ideas. The pictures, in my opinion, could have been better, but it was overall a decent book.

Whenever someone tries to rank the most influencial people of all time, there will be some controversy. I was surprised at some omissions, like Abraham and Da Vinci, as well as some of his rankings of major scientists over major political and religious leaders(Newton over Jesus and Buddha), but Hart was able to almost convince me why Newton was more important than Jesus. In only 4-7 pages a person, Hart gave all the essential information and more. My only quibble about this book is the lack of importance he gives to Jewish religious leaders like David, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, none of whom are ranked, while Christian and Islamic leaders who were equally important to the spread of their respective religions were ranked througout the list. Still a must read before the close of the millenium

I hope my comments will somehow be conveyed to the publisher or to a potential publisher. I was thunderstruck to discover that this wonderful book is out of print and completely unavailable. This is a marvelously informative, thought-provoking book and one of the most interesting and entertaining "parlor games" ever. (And no, I'm not related to the author, never met him!) Everyone who has seen my copy of the book or even heard me describe it has wanted a copy and I have given it as a gift many times. I'd planned to buy several this year as gifts...but it seems it's no longer available, only the numerous spin-offs and immitations. Should be back on the shelves! Pass my sentiments along, please, to whomever can rectify the situation.

Several years ago I had my first opportunity to read "The 100" while needing bedtime reading while visiting friends, so it was with much anticipation that I received the latest version of Michael Hart's collection of essays on the 100 most influential persons in world history.
First, I'd like to point out that the premise of the book is quite compelling. The bottom line is, however, that this book is at par with a poorly-written junior high history or world cultures textbook. The book provides is prey to frequent use of cliche, and it's delivery and argumentation are not compelling. If you're at all familiar with any of the individuals in any detail, you will be disappointed by the lack of important or compelling discussions about some of them (for example, there is nothing spoken in Jenner (#70) regarding the ethical implications of his innoculation experiments on farm children, and their's no mention of "Mein Kampf" in Hitler (#39).
Understanding that the nature of trying to present the individual highlights of 5500 years of human civilizations is daunting, particularly the biographies of 100 individauls covering nearly the entire spectrum of western civilization. Things is, I've seen just such a well-produce "summary" in the two-volume Anchor Atlas of World History. "The 100," at best, should serve as a reference for those interested in history in interested in the relative importance of each of the individuals and to draw your own conclusions. In this respect it is a success.
I generally do not have significant problems with the choices as they are well-reasoned given the author's decision-making framework, save for the heavy emphasis on Anglo-American civilization, his singular obsession with referring to William Shakespeare (#31) as Edward de Vere, and including John F. Kennedy (#81) in the list because of his inspiration to the space program. The latter no doubt has much to do with Dr. Hart's field of work (physics, astronomy, space program). It is humorous also that Henry Ford (#91) did not appear in the book until the 1992 edition and at such a low point on the list given the import of the automobile to 20th Century society.
Lastly, Dr. Hart's obviously sentimental choice of Mikhail Gorbachev at #95 is just plain weak.
As for the missing, it's unclear why Aquinas and Charles Babbage are not listed, but relegated to the "near miss" bin. Where's John Deere who revolutionized farming? Where's Louis Sullivan who promoted/predicted modern architecture? His identification of Mary and Neil Armstrong as "near misses" should tell you something.

The author has convincingly argued for the reasons behind ranking persons as he did. It should be noted that he avoided using the loaded term "most important" and instead used "most influential." Obviously, the first term is quite subjective, i.e., Christians would prefer to rank Jesus as #1, and atheists may prefer a scientist such as Einstein. By looking at the person's lifetime, influence on historical events, and influence on peoples live today, Hart has put together quite an unbiased book. cc: Bill Gates would probably make the list if the ranking were done today?!

This fascinating book ranks the author's most "influential" people in history. Not a list of the "greatest" persons in history. The book is involved with the question of who were the 100 persons who had the greatest affect on history and on the course of the world. I didn't always agree with the author's choices or rankings of importance (for example I would have included Abraham on the 100 list; he is only listed as honorable mention), but reading the excerpts was a new way of learning world history. Easy to read... very well researched and written in concise terms. I also should note that this book was not available to purchase at either Borders or Barnes and Noble, but the store had it & got it to me fast.

Logical, informative and interesting. I don't think anyone could do a better job of presenting their case on who is the most influential and why. Good detail on each figure, considering each only gets a few pages.

The title sounded interesting. However, there was no clear criterion on how the author conducted the rating and evaluation process. Moreover, in many parts the presented achievements do not fully justify the author's selection. Definitely, I would like to learn more about the person to make my judgment, or at least agree or disagree with the author -- just a brief description was provided. Other than that the author did a great job trying to get this work accomplished. The most interesting part is the historical timeline provided. I really liked it. Good job!

My wife and I are really diggin' this book. Thank God the author did not write any more than he did about those old Chinese dudes or the chemists and scientists. 4 pages is enough for me regarding those boring guys. The writer does a great job supporting his reasoning for the ranking and stuff but I was really puzzled when JFK popped up. You gotta be kidding me? JFK? He got it for putting a man on the moon. Hey author dude!!! JFK basically just cut the check. Throw a bone to the guy that invented the multi-stage rocket in the 1920s? He is the one that got the ball rolling. The space race was huge (satillite tv, gps, etc...) but the MAN ON THE MOON????...so what! You can do better than that.

It is sensational and thought provoking. I read the whole book and gained an excellent knowledge of the events by the most influential people in history that shaped the world history and civilization.
This is a book that I would buy on special occasions as a gift to friends.

I, too, was shocked to find that this wonderful book was out of print. I canvassed several used book stores before I found one that actually had it in stock -- but all the stores knew about the book. These pithy glimpses into the lives of incredible people is not only educational, but fun.

I happen to read this book's Chinese translation in Beijing. It was on the "hot book" shelf over there last month. I enjoyed it so much so I wanted to have a copy in English. How can it be out of print?

It would help if such a historical list were written by a historian. Mr. Hart's degrees are in science, and his bias toward scientists in the list is overwhelming. He lists JFK because of his starting the mission to the moon. Certainly Lincoln, FDR, Teddy Roosevelt, Truman, and Reagan would rank as more influential U.S. presidents. And Madison as Father of the Constitution and the U.S. government has certainly had significant and long-lasting influence given the number of democracies in the world today. The effort to create such a list is certainly interesting, everyone will have different opinions, and the discussion promotes historical learning which is in such short supply today. But it would be better for an accomplished historian to create such a list rather than an author so taken up with scientific efforts to the detriment of other areas of human achievement.

As the option of having Prophet Mohamed (pbuh), on the list as the most influential person has been debated fully, I will not bore you to death with my own opinion, yet I do have some complaints. Of these complaints include many prominent scientists from the golden age of Islam, such as: Ibn Sina- did more for medicine than any one person ever did, i.e. quarantine, removal of catarachts etc., Al- Khwarizmi-Algebra, Algorithims, as well as a cartographer: created the most accurate map of his time. And the list goes on and on. Additionally, many prominent Jews were also left out, they basically invented interest, and banking. Overall, this list encompasses much, yet, many of the most influential people who existed during the time that Europe was not willing to acknowledge, were excluded. As the cliche sang goes, History is written by the victors.

As a Muslim,I fully agree with his opinion.Muhammad is the perfect & most influential person,and this is so true.Even though u're not a Muslim,if u read about him,u'll never find anything bad on him.What he did is always for good & became a success.Maybe Hart should learn & understand more about Islam & Muhammad before write about Muhammad.Muhammad didn't write the Qoran.He's a prophet & pass God's words(Allah) to guide people.And believe me,if everyone in the world learn from Muhammad,we'll live in peace,harmony&success.Read Qoran after u read Hart's book,believe me....

This book was written before Islamic fanaticism became one of the greatest dangers facing the world today. Nonetheless the ranking of Mohammed as the most influential person in history is bizaare indeed. Mohammed is no doubt the most influential person in history to the one- billion Muslims in the world. But what about the rest of us?

Asking the question this way of course reveals the absurdity of the whole enterprise. Now if he wished to choose the most influential person in the world on the basis of the number of people who follow his teachings as a way of life then he should have Jesus as the first. Also if he wished to choose as the most influential the person the most books were written about him he should choose Jesus.

But if he wished to choose the first great teacher of the idea that there is only one God in the world, then he should have chosen Abraham. After all without Abraham there is no Moses, and no Jesus and no Mohammed.

If he wanted to choose the most influential person for the Jews without which the world would have no Ten Commandments then he should have chosen Moses.

If he wanted to choose the most influential and powerful single literary creator of all time then he should have chosen Shakespeare and not left him in place thirty - one.

If he wished to choose the scientist who has given us the closest picture we now have to what the physical structure of the universe is he should have chosen Einstein. And for the objects of our everyday life, Newton.

I will not go on. The point is that this kind of list has something absurd about it at the outset. And Hart did not deal with that absurdity in a good way.

Leonardo who is not on the list might be number one as the greatest all around genius man has known.

Lincoln who is also on the list might be number one as wisest and greatest and most compassionate and humane political leader the world has ever known.

This book simply does not do the job it set out to do.

After reading the book and the reviews below, I can say the following:

- a huge effort has been put to write this book,
- it is an insightful list,
- the list is provocative,
- the list is very subjective, biased, skewed, and should be taken with caution.
- the list is full of impostors such as Gutenberg (instead of Bi Sheng), Lavoisier (instead of Geber), Marconi (instead of Tesla), Euler (instead of Al-Khwarizmi), even JFK for "U.S. President who led first successful effort by humans to travel to another planet"(instead of Nikita Khrushchev who led the First Man in Space Yuri Gagarine), etc.

Therefore, two solutions:

1. Rename the book as: "The 100: A Ranking Of The Most Influential Persons In WESTERN History", or
2. Gather a commission of world historians to establish an objective list.

We know that "History is written by the winners" and Hart's book is just a reminder of Alex Haley's quote.

Sure, most people would say Muslims would be happy to read this book. Since I too am a Muslim, i don't care what they say, because what Mr. Hart's saying is true. Muhammad (pbuh) had indeed changed the world. Some people are ALSO saying "Islamic fanaticsm had become one of the most dangerous...." bla bla bla. Come on. I know you read the book. Why can't you just accept the fact the Muhammad (pbuh) is the most influential man in the history of mankind. By saying the history of mankind, I mean there is no one greater than him today. If Muhammad was the most influential man in the WORLD, there must be someone greater than him. The history of mankind clearly explains that there is no one greater than him. In closing, God is great.:)

It amuses me how muslims trip over themselves to extol the "virtues" of this book because MHH listed the "prophet" muhammad as the most influential person in history. A few points:

1. It is hypocritical of muslims to hold up a "kafir" (unbeliever), as they so often do, to vindicate islam, desperately attempting to legitimize their failed belief system. Sura 98:6 says that unbelievers are the WORST of creatures, except, that is, when they mention something about muhammad in a positive light.

2. Being influential doesn't necessarily mean an endorsement of that individual. Which leads me to the most important point....

3. MHH believes muhammad WROTE THE QURAN!! From Goodreads:

"Hart attributes this to the fact that Muhammad was "supremely successful" in both the religious and secular realms. He also accredits the authorship of the Qur'an to Muhammad...."

http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/62774.Michael_H_Hart

What?!?! That's BLASPHEMY!! Just like the weasel in the Foghorn Leghorn cartoon, muslims rush in headlong, salivating and victorious, instead of actually doing some research. The same can be said for their ignorance/denial in the fact that NO historical or archaeological evidence exists that confirms the existence of Mecca BEFORE 400 AD, totally rendering the quran and islam false.

As for the rest of the list in the book? There is only one name there that counts and that is our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. It is by Him ALONE that we have life, atonement and rest. There is overwhelming evidence for His crucifixion and resurrection-try "Cold Case Christianity" by Jim Warner Wallace, a former homicide detective and atheist who humbled himself to examine the EVIDENCE, and came up trumps!

Remember that a relationship with Christ is ALL about humility:

But He gives greater grace. Therefore He says: "God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble." - James 4:6

Just like a precious stone, we must search diligently for God:

"You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart. - Jeremiah 29:13

Those apostles of Christ didn't die defending a lie:

"and others experienced mockings and scourgings, as well as bonds and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were SAWN IN TWO, they died by the sword, they wandered about in sheepskins, in goatskins, destitute, afflicted, and mistreated. The world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and on mountains, hiding in caves and holes in the ground. - Hebrews 11:36-38

The key is the resurrection. I urge everyone to examine the evidence and seek Him diligently. Judgement is coming and there is nothing that will stop His will. Please place your faith in Jesus Christ and repent of your sins.

“Your heart must not be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if not, I would have told you. I am going away to prepare a place for you. If I go away and prepare a place for you, I will come back and receive you to Myself, so that where I am you may be also. You know the way to where I am going.”

“Lord,” Thomas said, “we don’t know where You’re going. How can we know the way?”

Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

“If you know Me, you will also know My Father. From now on you do know Him and have seen Him.”

“Lord,” said Philip, “show us the Father, and that’s enough for us.”

Jesus said to him, “Have I been among you all this time without your knowing Me, Philip? The one who has seen Me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Don’t you believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me? The words I speak to you I do not speak on My own. The Father who lives in Me does His works. Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me. Otherwise, believe because of the works themselves. - John 14:1-11

If the author wants to believe the religious figures are the most important thats fine. But then the obvious #1 is Abraham-without Abraham there is no Muslim, Christian, Jewish or Momon faith. His reasoning is fatally flawed, which destroys the credibility of the book. Another point missed is that Jesus was most likely a myth and no such person ever existed.

FYI, Cortez is by far the most influential. His actions enslaved or annihlated two entire continents, swiftly and permanently. The only close second would be Columbus or Aristotle.

AWFUL BOOK. Why are there hardly any people of color or women in this book? Easy answer. Michael Hart is a self described white separatist, (which is another word for white supremacist. The import of this stance is that whites are intrinsically better than any other race and should have their own state. For illustration, if Barack Obama was a black nationalist he would exile all whites to the UK. Is that fair?White separtist must think so to adopt a similar stance.) see "Interview with Michael H. Hart by Russell K. Neili, April 14, 2000. Carol M. Swain; Russ Nieli (24 March 2003). Contemporary Voices of White Nationalism in America."

The books writing is atrocious. The book is written with the intellectual vigor of a semi-functional senile dolt who has loss control of his bowel mechanisms and is occasionally confronted with delirium. I do give him credit for not pandering to religious zealots and putting Jesus as #1 but then again he is a white separatist and jewish so that was all political. I do admit that he has some integrity to include Hitler despite Michael himself is Jewish. Then again, contemporary white supremacist brandish symbols from the Third Reich despite NOT being Aryan so maybe it was out of admiration? I don't know.

I'm am very happy I couldn't find this piece of trash book at my local library. It must be useless to the human community. As it should be. For a similar unbiased book look at Time's rendition of the history of human achievement. "White separatist"... Oh god I feel sickened. Maybe he has the right idea. Michael, you can "separate" yourself as far away from me as possible!

The author has made judgements which are discusable. Not every reader will accept his valuation, but it's interesting to see his results.
The only critic I have, was the very long deliverytime (more then 4 weeks for sending a book in the US is not acceptable). In Europe the deliverytime is less then two days for similiar costs.