Before Adam / Jack London

Title: Before Adam 

Author: Jack London

Subjects: Fiction; History; Fantasy 

It is the story of a man who dreams he lives the life of an early hominid.The story offers an early view of human evolution. The majority of the story is told through the eyes of the man's hominid alter ego, one of the Cave People. In addition to the Cave People, there are the more advanced Fire People, and the more animal-like Tree People.

The Story of Mankind / Hendrik Van Loon

Title: The Story of Mankind 

Author: Hendrik Van Loon

Subjects: Non-Fiction; History; World History

It was the first book to be awarded the Newbery Medal for an outstanding contribution to children's literature. The Story of Mankind tells in brief chapters the history of western civilization beginning with primitive man, covering the development of writing, art, and architecture, the rise of major religions, and the formation of the modern nation-state. Must read for students and all. 

A Tale of Two Cities / Charles Dickens

Title: A Tale of Two Cities (A Story of the French Revolution)
Author: Charles Dickens
Subjects: Classic; Fiction, History; Literature 

The novel depicts the plight of the French peasantry demoralized by the French aristocracy in the years leading up to the revolution, the corresponding brutality demonstrated by the revolutionaries toward the former aristocrats in the early years of the revolution, and many unflattering social parallels with life in London during the same time period.