This text records the history of human society throughout the world, from prehistory to the year 2002, in 450 specially commissioned colour maps, 200 illustrations, tables and diagrams, and 200,000 words. It intends to go beyond the conventional focus on European and American political history to give worldwide coverage of socio-economic, cultural, and religious themes. Due weight is given to regions such as Central and South America, Africa, Asia and Oceania. Organized into five main parts: the ancient world (human origins to c.AD 500), the medieval world (c.500-1500), the early modern world (c.1500-1770), the age of revolutions (c.1770-1914), and the twentieth century (from 1914). Each part opens with a two-spread introduction that highlights the main themes of the time and outlines world trends and developments. Following the introduction, individual spreads each examine a particular region over a specified period, complemented by detailed maps, illustrations, and tables.