National Geographic Concise History of the World: An Illustrated Time Line

by Neil Kagan

Book Overview

From the dawn of humankind to today's global complexities, this monumental volume presents world history from an original perspective that provides fresh insights with every colorful spread. Few... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0792283643
• ISBN13: 9780792283645
• Release Date: October 2006
• Publisher: National Geographic Society
• Length: 416 Pages
• Weight: 4.25 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.3" x 9.5" x 11.1"

Customer Reviews

world history

I wasn't quite ready for the book's layout- it's written using timeline, column and rows with an occasional break to preface or highlight an era using paragraphs etc. This isn't historical fiction but then how could it be? There's far too much imformation for that- it is after all a history of the world! Once I got the hang of the layout I beggan to enjoy it reading it bit by bit. Probably best used to focus in on a particular time or culture- when backgound info is needed. This NG book will add to anyone's library- pick it up.

Outstanding work!

This reference book is precisely what its title says it is, in that it is a concise view of history. Very concise. If you want detail, this is certainly not the book to get, as this book covers thousands of years. Sidebars give more a little detail on specified subjects, but even these do not delve too deeply into the subject matter. That being said, National Geographic has done an admirable job of putting together history on a visual timeline which makes the book very accessible, and easy to pick up for any casual reader. Optimally, this book would be used in conjunction with a more detailed book on history or archaeology, or something such as The Encyclopedia of World History or The Oxford Companion to Archaeology. Admittedly, it is not perfect, as the (re)discovering of Machu Piccu in Peru in 1911 by Hiram Bingham is not on the timeline of the Americas. And it mentions the first year for cartoons in newspapers, but mentions neither the newspaper or the city in which they were published. Even given these provisos, this is a remarkable and highly visual book which is a great reference and should have a place on your bookshelf. **** 1/2 stars.

birds-eye view

This is an excellent source for obtaining a quick, clear, and coherent context for an event or a period. For example, if you want to know what the rest of the world was doing when the Conquistadors sailed onto the shores of South America, this book is the best first step in your research. The entries are concise and the layout is attractive.

National Geographic Concise History of the World

Very explicit and easy to follow. Great for referencing your travels and world history.

A stunning combination of art, timeline charts and written history

Both public libraries and high school to college-level collections will find much to appreciate in National Geographic Concise History of the World: An Illustrated Time Line. Its organization is geared to show historical connections between continents, cultures and nations over the centuries, and allows readers to draw important connections between events around the world. There are other books of timeline history on the market today; but National Geographic uses a stunning combination of art, timeline charts and written history to great effect, here. Diane C. Donovan California Bookwatch