National Geographic’s Concise History of the World by Editor Neil Kagan is an impressive publication that surveys eight periods of world history. The First Societies Prehistory–500 B.C.E., The Classical Age 500 B.C.E.–500 C.E., Faith and Power 500–1000, Invasions and Advances 1000–1500, Converging Worlds 1500–1750, Empires and Revolutions 1750–1900, Global Conflict 1900–1950, and Towards New World Order 1950–Present.
Human history is the story of a species so skilled at exploiting and altering its environment that it now has the power to create new life forms genetically or destroy life on a large scale by extinguishing many species. The warming of the planet began around 10,000 B.C.E. forcing humans to adapt, and they did so with great ingenuity. By 3500 B.C.E the stage was set for the emergence of societies so complex and accomplished that they rank as civilizations. Beginning around 500 B.C.E. civilizations arose that had such lasting power and influence so they were recognized as classical. Much as Greek and Roman civilizations influenced later European cultures, the classical civilizations in Persia, Africa, India, China, and Mesoamerica.
With the first rise of Islam in the seventh century and the spread of Christianity and other established religions, faith became a more powerful force than ever, inspiring rulers and setting armies in motion. Worldly ambitions combined with religious zeal propelled Arab conquerors across Africa and the Middle East and fueled the expansion of the Byzantine Empire around the Mediterranean and Christian kingdoms in Western Europe. Between 1000 and 1500, invaders, traders, and explorers crossed the continents and oceans and brought societies that were worlds apart into contact and conflict. Christian crusaders from Western Europe traveled to Jerusalem to battle Muslims for control of the Holy Land.
Beginning around 1500, western Europeans greatly expanded their reach by establishing trading bases around the globe and colonizing the Americas. This process transformed both the Old World and the New World as people, plants, livestock; viruses and other pathogens crossed oceans and altered conditions on distant shores. Beginning in the late 1700s, political and technological advances gave highly industrial countries a huge advantage over less-developed countries. The industrial revolution began in Great Britain and spread across Western Europe along with national fervor and demands for popular sovereignty, or government responsive to the will of the people.
By the early 20th century, countries around the globe were closely linked by recent advances such as radio and diesel-powered ships. With the introduction of the aircraft, armored vehicles, and guided missiles, the world became an even smaller place, where hostile nations could swiftly project power far beyond their borders and wreak havoc. Following World War Ⅱ the global economy and population boomed. Human numbers climbed from 2.5 billion in 1950 to more than 7 billion by 2013, a biological success unprecedented in the history of humanity and probably in the history of large mammals. Meanwhile, the size of the world’s economy grew by about 18-fold. On average people were richer than ever before by the 21st century.
This reference book has sidebars, many illustrations, boxed features, quotes throughout the chapters, text reviewed by a Board of Advisors, and more that 40 superb National Geographic maps. Included too is a World at a Glance appendix of key events and innovations. ( )