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The most remarkable true stories of all time and around the world brought vividly to life – from the Big Bang right up to the present day.
Embark on a journey across millennia and around the world, from the latest understanding of the origins of the universe through the birth of the Earth, the very first life, the age of dinosaurs, the rise of humans, ancient civilizations, colonialism, wars, technology, everyday life, global struggles for freedom and equality, pandemics – and much more. Eye-catching and informative illustrations and photographs throughout join with author Christopher Lloyd’s engaging narrative to bring to life the most remarkable true stories of all time. The 2nd edition is revised for fuller global coverage and updated with the latest research, as well as with events that have occurred since the first edition. The design has received a fresh treatment and many new photographs have been included.
Includes a glossary and index.
Selected by Reading Rockets’ Holiday Gift Guide 2023
“Absolutely wonderful! I wish they’d had books like this when I was young." - Anthony Horowitz, author of Alex Rider
“From the Big Bang to yesterday’s breakfast, this book of fun and discovery makes sense of it ALL." - Martin Brown, Horrible Histories
"Youngsters will be completely captivated and read sections that are of particular interest over and over... It is simply a delight for readers eight to eighty."- Seattle Book Review
”Embark on a journey across millennia and around the world" - Nicki's Random Musings
"Makes a great starting point for any tween or teen interested in just about any and every subject.” - YA Books Central
"Does a good job with presenting a truly global view of history, putting multiple events into context and explaining how the past affects the future today." - Jean Little Library
Foreword
Chapter 1
Nothing to Something
13.8 billion–450 million years ago
The beginning of the universe, life and everything
Chapter 2
Land Ahoy
480 million–252 million years ago
Creatures wriggle out of the seas and forests cover the land
Chapter 3
Dinosaurs to Apes
252 million–6 million years ago
Terrible lizards and what comes after
Chapter 4
Hands Free
5 million-12,000 years ago
Walking apes to migrating humans
Chapter 5
Seeds of Change
38,000 BCE to 2000 BCE
Farming, writing and trade
Chapter 6
Cities and Civilizations Everywhere
3300 BCE to 1200 BCE
Complex societies emerge around the world
Chapter 7
The Rise of Religions
30,000 years ago to 100 CE
Spiritual life blooms
Chapter 8
New Ideas Abound
1400 BCE to 200 BCE
Democracy, Science, and Philosophy
Chapter 9
Christianity and Islam Make their Mark
30–1000 CE
Cultures collide and fuse, building the world we know today
Chapter 10
Ingenuity
800–1280 CE
Inventions, Climate and the Struggle for Power
Chapter 11
The Global Middle Ages
1220–1521
Rich cultures around the world
Chapter 12
Colonialism takes off
1415–1621
One person’s miracle is another’s disaster
Chapter 13
Revolutions All Around
1543–1905
Science, Freedom and Robots
Chapter 14
World at War
1845–1945
When everyone was fighting everyone else
Chapter 15
Marching Towards the Millennium
1945–2000
The Cold War, Human Rights, and the Dawn of the Digital Age
Chapter 16
To Be Continued…
2000–the present
Plastics, viruses and finding our way to a bright future