History of the World - Hardcover

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0195210433 ISBN 13: 9780195210439

Publisher: Oxford University Press, 1993

Synopsis

From the evolution of Homo sapiens to the exploration of space, the vast landscape of human history appears in J.M. Roberts's History of the World. Deftly written and evocatively illustrated, this book offers an outstanding one-volume survey of the major events, developments, and personalities of the known past.
In a truly remarkable work of compression and synthesis, Roberts sweeps through thousands of years of history, weaving the stories of empires, arts, religion, economics, and science into his lucid narrative. Beginning with the early hominids, he swiftly and authoritatively brings the story up through the emergence of Mesopotamian civilizations and ancient Egypt. Here, too, is comprehensive coverage of the Indian and Chinese civilizations ("For two and a half thousand years," he points out, "there has been a Chinese nation using a Chinese language"), as well as developments in Africa and South America. Aided by photographs of key archaelogical finds (such as monumental Egyptian statues, Peruvian medallions, and Celtic jewelry), Roberts clearly explains the early arts, engineering, and religion. He also carefully ties in changing economics--such as trade routes and developments in agriculture and manufacturing--making clear their importance for the history of politics and changing societies. The story leaps ahead, through the Roman Empire, the explosive arrival of Islam, the rise and fall of samurai rule in Japan, the medieval kingdoms of sub-Saharan Africa, the Mongol conquests, and the early modern expansion of Europe across the globe. American independence, the French Revolution, the colonial empires, Japan's startling modernization, and the World Wars follow in turn, accompanied by discussions of scientific and technical breakthroughs.
With informative maps, photographs, and reproductions of important artwork (some in full color), Roberts clearly explains the impact of the key individuals and the major influences on history the world over, down to the era of an integrated global economy and the fall of the U.S.S.R. Vividly written and beautifull illustrated, History of the World offers the finest, most readable one-volume survey available today.

About this title

About the Author

About the Author: J.M. Roberts was, until his retirement in 1994, Warden at Merton College, Oxford University, and is the General Editor of The Short Oxford History of the Modern World and The New Oxford History of England.

From AudioFile

Roberts, a well-known professor at Oxford, here presents over five thousand years of major historic "processes." His style is clear and the material well organized. However, this is basically a textbook and is a bit dry. (The print original is 1,004 pages.) Davidson's reading of this behemoth is actually a nice match of text and reader. His voice is clear and easily understood, and his good sense of pacing helps make this work as interesting as it can be. Indeed, his voice, delivery and pacing are consistent throughout this recording, which is quite a feat in itself. This work is for those who really want to listen to it. M.T.F. (c)AudioFile, Portland, Maine

About this edition

• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• Publication date: 1993
• ISBN 10: 0195210433
• ISBN 13: 9780195210439
• Binding: Hardcover
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 952
• Editor: Roberts J.M.