An international history book for an international generation. As people increasingly travel the world and watch television images relayed around the globe in seconds the planet has become a much more familiar place to us all. But how much do we know of its history and how its nations and people have become what they are today? Here in one volume is a history of our world written from an international perspective. From the beginnings of life to the present day The Dorling Kindersley History of the World shows how our common international history has evolved over thousands of years. A global perspective Beginning with the evolution of the earth and the appearance of the first modern humans 40 000 years ago the book charts the course of human history up to the present day. With equal treatment given to the five continents this book is truly international in scope. Special attention has been paid to those parts of the world - notably South America and Oceania - whose history is often neglected. From this unique vantage point The Dorling Kindersley History of the World explores the common threads of history that link the world's peoples and the contrasts that make that history so rich and so fascinating. History year by year Arranged in chronological order the great events and civilisations that have changed world history come vividly to life. The birth of ancient Egypt the might of the Roman Empire the unstoppable advance of the Mongol warriors the forging of the United States the break-up of the Soviet empire - these and many other significant events from every part of the world are described in these pages. Each event is headed by a key date enabling the reader to place it in the context of what else was happening in other parts of the world at the same time. History comes to life Lavishly illustrated on every page The Dorling Kindersley History of the World is packed full of visual information. Full-colour photographs of objects from museum collections; paintings and engravings from all over the world; maps of countries; reconstructions of buildings; and artworks of daily life all work together to convey the excitement of history. The result is an essential reference book for anyone who wants to know more about the turbulent development of world history.