What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedThe Timetables of History
Bernard Grun · Book · 2005
If you loved The Timetables of History, start with Horrible Histories (Terry Deary, 2009) — a series on the same thread. Below: 4 films, 4 series and 2 podcasts, each matched to The Timetables of History across media.
If you loved The Timetables of History, you crave the way that massive, panoramic historical shifts reveal the personal, intimate consequences of human behavior.
Films on the same thread
Modern Times
Film · 1936
Explores: Industrialization, Poverty, Social Criticism.
Just as The Timetables of History captures the macro-tensions of an era, this film explores the crushing weight of industrialization on the individual, grounding global change in human experience.
Oppenheimer
Film · 2023
Explores: Moral ambiguity, Scientific ethics, Cold War paranoia.
This film mirrors the chronological scope of The Timetables of History by examining how specific scientific breakthroughs alter the course of human history and define the moral landscape.
History of the World: Part I
Mel Brooks · Film · 1981
Explores: Historical Spoof, Anachronism, Slapstick.
While The Timetables of History takes a serious look at chronology, this parody uses the same sweeping historical timeline to highlight the absurdity inherent in the human story.
A History of Violence
David Cronenberg · Film · 2005
Explores: hidden identity, past coming back to haunt you, violence begets violence.
Much like the way The Timetables of History contextualizes individual lives within a larger narrative, this film demonstrates how a single moment can carry the weight of historical legacy.
Series on the same thread
Horrible Histories
Terry Deary · Series · 2009
Explores: Satire, Parody, Historical Accuracy (Loosely).
You appreciate the broad historical overview found in The Timetables of History, and this series provides that same expansive survey of the past through a uniquely irreverent, comedic lens.
The World at War
Series · 1973
Explores: World War II, Historical Account, The Holocaust.
This documentary series offers the same deep, immersive look at the interconnected events of the twentieth century that makes The Timetables of History an essential guide to modern times.
Rome
Bruno Heller · Series · 2005
Explores: Ancient Rome, Roman Empire, Power Struggles.
Like the chronological depth in The Timetables of History, this drama captures the transition of an entire civilization, revealing the political and personal struggles defining the Roman Republic.
I, Claudius
Martin Lisemore · Series · 1976
Explores: Power Struggles, Political Intrigue, Corruption.
If the structural complexity of The Timetables of History appeals to you, this series offers a masterclass in how individual lives shape the broader, often corrupt, timeline of empire.
Podcasts on the same thread
Dan Carlin's Hardcore History
Dan Carlin · Podcast · 2026
Explores: civilizational collapse, human nature, moral ambiguity.
Dan Carlin applies the same comparative, analytical curiosity found in The Timetables of History to examine the consequences of power, forcing you to reconsider established historical narratives and events.
The Way I Heard It with Mike Rowe
The Way I Heard It with Mike Rowe · Podcast · 2026
Explores: untold historical anecdotes, curiosity-driven learning, American cultural history.
The Timetables of History excels at revealing connections across time, and this podcast provides a similar, curiosity-driven look at how obscure, individual anecdotes contribute to our shared cultural history.
Keep exploring
Common questions
What is the primary scope of The Timetables of History?
The Timetables of History provides a sweeping overview of the development of the contemporary world. It maps out events happening simultaneously across various fields from the dawn of human history up to the present day to show the progression of global civilization.
How is information organized within The Timetables of History?
The Timetables of History is organized to show what was happening simultaneously during specific time periods. By mapping events at a glance, the book allows readers to compare developments across different regions and disciplines throughout the timeline of human history.
Does The Timetables of History cover modern events?
Yes, The Timetables of History covers the progression of events from the dawn of history through to the present day. The book is designed to map out the making of the contemporary world by tracking simultaneous occurrences across the entire span of recorded time.
Is The Timetables of History useful for understanding global context?
Yes, The Timetables of History is specifically designed to provide context for the contemporary world. By presenting information in a side-by-side format, it helps readers visualize how different events occurring at the same time contributed to the broader narrative of human history.