원문 (영어)

ANCIENT MAN THE BEGINNING OF CIVILIZATIONS BY HENDRIK WILLEM VAN LOON 1922. DEDICATION To HANSJE AND WILLEM. My darling boys, You are twelve and eight years old. Soon you will be grown up. You will leave home and begin your own lives. I have been thinking about that day, wondering what I could do to help you. At last, I have had an idea. The best compass is a thorough understanding of the growth and the experience of the human race. Why should I not write a special