Traces the course of human history from prehistoric times to the present day, analyzing the common themes, threads, forces, and factors that have shaped human life--including climate, ecology, disease, and geology--and examining human accomplishments, from the technological innovations that changed the world to key cultural, social, artistic, and intellectual achievements.

"Bestselling author of A Treasury of Royal Scandals Michael Farquhar uncovers an instance of bad luck, epic misfortune, and unadulterated mayhem tied to every day of the year in this engrossing compendium of history's worst moments. From Caligula's blood-soaked end to hotelier Steve Wynn's unfortunate run-in with a priceless Picasso, Bad Days in History delves into the past to present 365 delightfully told tales of historically bad days. Michael Farquhar's...

"Eminent historian Paul Strathern opens the history of Empire with the Akkadian civilization, which ruled over a vast expanse of the region of ancient Mesopotamia, then turns to the immense Roman Empire, where we trace back our Western and Eastern roots. Next the narrative describes how a great deal of Western Classical culture was developed in the Abbasid and Umayyad Caliphates. Then, while Europe was beginning to emerge from a period of cultural...

Witness the vast sweep of world history. Dive into every period of human history and experience the great cultures of the world in this magnificent new illustrated history of civilization. From the emergence of Homo sapiens to the establishment of the United Nations, from ancient Jericho to the Arab Spring, this beautifully illustrated volume illuminates the grand procession of history around the world. Filled with exquisite maps, inspiring photographs,...

Until about 1800, the West and the Islamic realm were like two adjacent, parallel universes, each assuming itself to be the center of the world while ignoring the other. As Europeans colonized the globe, the two world histories intersected and the Western narrative drove the other one under. The West hardly noticed, but the Islamic world found the encounter profoundly disrupting. This book reveals the parallel “other” narrative of world history...

A humorous look at the ages of man. Includes eras through the French Revolution.

A reference guide to world history, featuring a timeline, key date boxes, and biographies of historical figures