Product Description

The ultimate work of historical reference From cavemen to the Cold War, from Alexander the Great to global warming, from warfare through the ages to the great voyages of exploration, The Times Complete History of the World is the book that has all the answers, the detail and the authoritative text in one breathtaking single historical source. With over 600 full-colour maps and charts on a wide range of historical subjects and representing the work of a team of professional historians, this new edition continues a tradition of nearly thirty years of excellence, style, authority and cutting-edge design. This edition is internet-linked, permitting further in-depth exploration of key subjects. With fully up-to-date text, including material on Iraq and Afghanistan, terrorism, Israel and the EU, this book, edited by leading modern historian Professor Richard Overy, is broad-ranging and more visually enticing than ever.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #18526 in Books
• Published on: 2007-10-01
• Original language: English
• Binding: Hardcover
• 416 pages

Review
/ "This is one of the great works of historical reference in the English language. If you were allowed only one history book in the whole of your life, The Times Complete History of the World would be hard to beat because it conveys a sense not only of time, but also of place." Niall Ferguson, Professor of History, Harvard University. / "Wonderfully told history, brilliant graphics and maps, comprehensive and utterly accessible. In the internet age, proof positive that this reference book still has the edge by a considerable margin." Jon Snow

About the Author
Richard Overy (b. 1947) was educated at Caius College, Cambridge. He taught at Cambridge from 1972 to 1979 at Queens' College, and from 1980 to 2004 at King's College, London, where he was made professor of Modern History in 1994. He is a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society (1977), Fellow of the British Academy (2000) and a Fellow of King's College (2003). In 2001 he was awarded the Samuel Elliot Morison Prize of the Society for Military History for his contribution to the history of warfare. In September 2004 he took up appointment as Professor of History at the University of Exeter.

Customer Reviews

Interesting, but too vague in key areas.
Each topic is presented on a two page spread in chronological order, and whilst this is good for general interest reading, it limits the books use as any kind of serious reference text as important subjects are effectively brushed over.

One thing about this book which does stand out is the quality of the ilustrations, particuarly the maps and diagrams, which are generally excellent.

Expect a reasonably good general history text that is nice to browse, or good for older children; but for more specific applications a more serious book may be in order.

Really good reference
This is a great book if you want to quickly glance over different periods of history (from 3000BC Sumer to the present day) and build up on your general knowledge. The pages have a nice feel, the content has the right balance of text and images and the colours are well chosen. As you would expect it is a heavy book but it's measurements mean that it doesn't fit on the shelves of my book case!

The Complete History of the World
I have recent purchased this book from W.H. Smith for £14.99 in a new condition making this a worthwhile reference book at a very good price. Saving £60 on the £75.00 RRP.