Description
Book SynopsisDiscover how the modern world came to be with this easy-to-follow and up-to-date history companion Want to get a taste of the entirety of human history in a single book? With World History For Dummies, you'll get an overview of the history of, well, everything, from the Neanderthal experience to the latest historical developments of the 21st century. Re-live history from your armchair as you ride into battle alongside Roman generals, prepare Egyptian pharaohs for the afterlife, and learn from the great Greek poets and philosophers. Written in the easy-to-digest style the For Dummies series is famous for, you'll discover: How religion, philosophy, and science shaped, and were shaped by, the great figures of historyThe human consequences of warfare, from historical battles to more modern conflicts from the 20th centuryWhat's influencing events in the 21st century, from climate change to new regimes and economies World History For Dummies is the perfect gift for the lifelong learner who wants to brush up on their world history knowledge. It's also an indispensable resource for AP World History students looking for a supplemental reference to help them with their studies.
Table of ContentsIntroduction 1
Part 1: Getting into History 5
Chapter 1: Tracing a Path to the Present 7
Chapter 2: Digging Up Reality 19
Chapter 3: Putting History into Perspective 29
Part 2: Finding Strength in Numbers 41
Chapter 4: Getting Civilized 43
Chapter 5: Rising and Falling Empires 61
Chapter 6: Splitting Eras: The Middle Ages 77
Chapter 7: Struggling for Dominance 93
Chapter 8: Grabbing the Globe 113
Chapter 9: Pulling Empires Together as Subjects Push Back 135
Part 3: Seeking Answers 161
Chapter 10: Worshipping through the Ages 163
Chapter 11: Loving Wisdom: Philosophy’s Impact 185
Chapter 12: Being Christian, Thinking Greek 201
Chapter 13: Awakening to the Renaissance 211
Chapter 14: Breaking Away: The Reformation 229
Chapter 15: Opening Up to Science and Enlightenment 251
Part 4: Fighting, Fighting, Fighting 267
Chapter 16: Wielding Sticks and Stones: Old-Fashioned War 269
Chapter 17: Upgrading the War Machine 283
Chapter 18: Modernizing Mayhem 297
Part 5: Meeting the Movers and Shakers 313
Chapter 19: Starting Something Legendary 315
Chapter 20: Battling Toward Immortality 329
Chapter 21: Exploring and “Discovering” 343
Chapter 22: Turning Tables: Rebels and Revolutionaries 357
Part 6: The Part of Tens 373
Chapter 23: Ten Unforgettable Dates in History 375
Chapter 24: Ten Essential Historical Documents 383
Index 393
