A comprehensive introduction to the most important questions, ideas, movements, and events that have defined history. Entries explore and explain each idea, placing them in their social and cultural context. In a grand timeline, it explores the civilizations, revolutions, and technologies that have made our world unrecognizable to our ancestors. -- adapted from back cover.

Includes index.

Introduction -- Human origins (200,000 years ago-3500 BCE) -- Ancient civilizations (6000 BCE-500 CE) -- The medieval world (500-1492) -- The early modern era (1420-1795) -- Changing societies (1776-1914) -- The modern world (1914-Present).