Epic in scope yet meticulous in its attention to detail, this comprehensive, colorful book encompasses all of human history, from our earliest steps toward civilization to the dawn of the 21st century. It is a rich chronicle of great ages and cultures, milestone events and accomplishments, and extraordinary men and women. Era by era, the National Geographic Almanac of World History unfolds its engrossing narrative in a vivid and varied format, at once wonderfully enlightening and remarkably easy to use. In the finest tradition of National Geographic, it's a masterful combination of visual appeal and authoritative information, a book you'll read with fascination -- and refer to again and again. Book jacket.