Text, maps and illustrations present the history of the world from 4,000,000 BC to 2005.

"This edition published by Barnes & Noble, Inc. by arrangement with The Brown Reference Group, plc." "Updated and revised" -- cover. Relief shown by shading.

pt. 1. The ancient world (4,000,000-500 BC) -- pt. 2. The classical world (500 BC-AD 600) -- pt. 3. The medieval world (AD 600-1492) -- pt. 4. From Columbus to American independence (1492-1783) -- pt. 5. The nineteenth-century world (1783-1914) -- pt. 6. From World War I to present (1914-2005).