1000 Events that Shaped the World / National Geographic (National Geographic, 2007) Hardcover, 415 p.  ISBN 9781426203145

Human society exists today as it does because of numerous events that happened some time in the past. In 1000 Events that Shaped the World, the editors of National Geographic have compiled a small but significant and interesting selection of them, put them in alphabetical order, and written succinct descriptions of each.  It is illustrated with time lines, maps, contemporary photographs for the more recent events, and various kinds of artwork for others.

Momentous pre-historic events in 1000 Events that Shaped the World include the invention of the wheel and learning to harness and use fire. More recent events include the 9/11 terrorist attacks and the discovery of planets orbiting other stars. In between, events range from wars and political or diplomatic events likely to be found in many history textbooks to such more mundane but still momentous occurrences as the first email or the invention of toilet paper.

The time-lines in 1000 Events that Shaped the World demonstrate relationships between one event and another. For example, Shakespeare's plays in England and Kabuki theater in Japan originated at about the same time. On the other hand, the bow and arrow predates the earliest pottery by about 5,000 years.

Some of the 1000 Events that Shaped the World have made the world a better place to live and show the creativity of humans in its best light. Others demonstrate the worst and most dangerous of human traits. Some can be interpreted either way: the bow and arrow made hunting, and therefore feeding the community, easier and more efficient. It also made fighting and war more deadly.

In any case National Geographic has selected and combined 1000 Events that Shaped the World to give readers an expertly written and beautifully illustrated overview of the entire sweep of world history and pre-history. Not the first, and probably not the last one-volume overview of world history, it is an excellent, informative, and enthralling addition well worth owning. All-Purpose Guru Alert specializes in selecting bargain books such as this one and featuring a different title every day. Past offers are still available while supplies last. Visit often!

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