History of the World
J.M. Roberts' History of the World depicts the enormous terrain of human history, from the emergence of Homo sapiens to the discovery of space. This book provides an amazing one-volume account of the important events, trends, and characters of the known history, which is deftly written and evocatively illustrated.
Roberts weaves the stories of empires, arts, religion, economics, and science into a coherent narrative that spans thousands of years of history in a really extraordinary work of compression and synthesis. He quickly and authoritatively carries the tale up through the formation of Mesopotamian civilizations and ancient Egypt, beginning with the first hominids. There's also extensive coverage of Indian and Chinese civilizations ("There has been a Chinese country employing a Chinese language for two and a half thousand years," he says), as well as African and South American histories. Roberts discusses the early arts, engineering, and religion with the use of photos of important archaeological artefacts (such as monumental Egyptian sculptures, Peruvian medallions, and Celtic jewelry). He also deftly weaves in shifting economics, such as trade routes and agricultural and manufacturing advancements, emphasizing their significance in the history of politics and changing cultures. The tale jumps ahead to the Roman Empire, the rapid introduction of Islam, the rise and fall of samurai control in Japan, the mediaeval kingdoms of Sub-Saharan Africa, the Mongol conquests, and Europe's early modern global expansion. The American Revolution, the French Revolution, the colonial empires, Japan's astonishing modernization, and the World Wars are discussed in turn, with descriptions of scientific and technological advancements thrown in for good measure.
Roberts convincingly explains the effect of significant persons and major influences on history across the world, down to the age of an interconnected global economy and the demise of the USSR, using instructive maps, pictures, and reproductions of notable artwork (some in full color).
History of the World is the best and most readable one-volume overview available today, with vivid writing and magnificent illustrations.
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