History of the World

by Peter Somerset Fry

Book Overview

From the beginnings of life to the present day, this book shows how our common international history has evolved over thousands of years. It is divided into 20 chronological chapters each taking the... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1564582442
• ISBN13: 9781564582447
• Release Date: January 1994
• Publisher: DK Publishing (Dorling Kindersley)
• Length: 384 Pages
• Weight: 3.95 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.2" x 8.8" x 11.2"
• Age Range: 7 years and up
• Grade Range: Grade 2 and higher

Customer Reviews

Great History Book!

Loved it. Great for project I'm doing. Timelines, historical facts, etc. Came in time! No issues. In very good shape!

Visual Journey through the Past

The History of the World is now completely updated. Simon Adams has continued the work of Plantagenet Somerset Fry (1946-1996) and has worked on this book with a number of consultants who have helped to make this book truly spectacular. If you have ever wondered what an Etruscan headband looked like (rather ornate gold leaves), caught yourself fascinated by Polynesian navigation or love thinking about living in a castle, this book has a lot to offer. Here you will find a picture of the Mayflower and then a two-page section on the 1700-1750s world, complete with a timeline. Actually every page has a timeline running along the edge so you can instantly place the information being discussed within context. The main chapters include: Introduction to Human History Early People The First Civilizations Traders and Warriors The Growth of Empires The Decline of the Ancient World Religious Worlds New Nations Monks and Invaders Conquest and Plague The Expansion of Knowledge The Great Rulers Commerce and Colonies The Age of Inquiry The Age of Revolution Independence and Industry The Rise of Nationalism The World Goes to War Peace and War One World Some of the unique features of this book include color-coded information that is divided into five main regions: Africa, Asia, Europe, the Americas and Oceania (Australasia, Papua New Guinea and the Pacific Islands). Date-led entries provide interesting details about significant developments in the world. Artwork and modern pictures help to give a visual reference to the key events pages. There are special feature pages to give a space for descriptions of the culture being discussed and the "illustrated comparative time charts" put the information into perspective in a chronological order. As you read through the book, you can watch the world change and the pictures give a glimpse into the past, like the partially restored Minoan palace at Knossos. You can learn fun things like facts about the Inca's Freeze-dried potatoes and there is a picture of a potato that is 500 years old that was being preserved in case of a famine. Imagine having to remember how to read information from a string called a quipu instead of writing. Population density maps give a better idea than numbers, a special section on inventions and discoveries shows progress and a comprehensive index and helpful glossary make this book even more useful. Information about beaded amulets sewn back in the 1800s helps to explain why they are still popular today in bead stores. The history of buildings page shows the endless variety of creative expression. The lacquered and beaded items are especially fascinating in this book. This book can also be fun to read if you are just wandering around this site. I looked up a Persian fruit bowl and ended up finding some rose scented candles and beautiful china patterns. A search for a Ming Chinese food dish brings up a book about Chinese Medicine. It is very likely something in this book will cause you

fantastic

I absolutely love this book. Every page is packed with fascinating information and color photos of real artifacts. I really like the way he ties it all together, giving an overview of the history of the entire world and which events occurred at the same time period. I bought it so I could teach my kids world history. I do think the reading level would be appropriate for a 3rd grader, but unfortunately the print is so small it makes it intimidating for younger kids.

IS THERE A BETTER BOOK THAN THIS ?!

Absolutely beautiful,comprehensive world history book - should be in EVERY classroom and home! A record of conflict of course, but chock full of the best that people have done on this planet(art,architecture,science, etc.)- inspiring and exciting. If anyone knows of a better illustrated world history book, please write me! Thank you DK - once again an incredible book.

Absolutely superb.

This is a simply marvelous book, good for all ages. (After all, I am a single adult with no children!) DK publishes a lot of "children's" books which I, as a mature, educated adult, find very useful and fascinating. This one, though, is probably the best of the lot.