Product Description

This new edition of the "Chambers Dictionary of World History" contains comprehensive coverage of the key figures and events of world history. Thoroughly revised and updated to reflect recent world events, it contains an in depth focus on the period 1000-2000. From the ANC to the XYZ affair, the North-West rebellion to the South Sea bubble, and Waterloo to Watergate, this dictionary marks the milestones. Its coverage embraces the Norman Conquest and Normandy Campaign; Vietnam and Vichy; the Wars of the Roses and the Hundred Flowers Campaign; the Prague Spring and the Winter War; the Black Hundreds and the Red Brigades. The roll-call of historical figures runs from Kalashnikov to Kaunda, Nasser to Nimitz, Saladin to Sitting Bull, Cortes to Clinton. The format is an A-Z listing of over 7,500 entries, with sixty mini-essays on topics covering history prior to AD 1000. Forty tables of information list the members of important dynasties, and over twenty five family trees of the monarchic dynasties of Europe. All countries of the world have a brief and concise entry, together with a map to show their geographical setting.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #820663 in Books
• Published on: 2000-09-08
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 950 pages

Customer Reviews

If you love history, this is a wonderful book to have
I receieved the book as a gift and was doubtful I would use it, but after looking up a few entries I was drawn in. Every time I sit down on the sofa I reach over and start flipping through it. I have always loved history, but one never seems to have the time to sit down and plod through long monographical works--I have a dozen unfinished history books on my shelf, calling out "shame!" every time I dust the study. Nevertheless, this new addition to my collection provides instant gratification, and draws you into flipping from one cross-reference to the next. Every time you open it up, you learn something new. Know anything about the Carter Doctrine and it's relation to the Gulf War? What about the Nootka Sound Incident, Malcolm III, the first Commune movement, Vicente Rojo, the Pig War or the Ever-Victorious Army? Four minutes with this book and you can patch up any gap in your knowledge. A great reference book to have within arm's reach.

An essential reference tool.
From Abahai (1592-1643), an ancient leader of Korea and Mongolia through to Zwingli (1484-1531), a Swiss reformer, this book contains over 7,500 entries which, collectively seek to encapsulate the history of the world. Consultant Editor, Bruce Lenman has held academic posts in Canada, the USA and the UK and, according to his short biography, is eminently suited for a project such as this work.

No single person reviewing this product could be expert in every aspect covered in the almost 1,000 pages of information. This assessment is, therefore, based on comparisons between my own areas of professional expertise and the information provided here. Not only did I find the book to have given an accurate appraisal of whatever event or person I studied, I also found myself learning things I did not previously know.

When the reader considers the scope of the book - i.e. World History, and the fact that such a huge, even daunting, subject is covered in a single tome, one has to accept that each specific entry (The American War of independence, Pre-Islamic China, Marco Polo - to mention but three!) cannot receive comprehensive coverage. For me to have learned something from a brief entry concerning Nelson says much about this book.

This is a reference book and not something people are likely to read from cover to cover. Nevertheless, I would suggest all schools, writers, journalists and anybody engaged in research should consider this product as an essential addition to their own libraries. In addition, any person with an enquiring mind will find the answers to all those vexatious questions about people and events.

All things considered, this is an excellent work and one to which I shall regularly return.

NM

Dictionary of World History
excellent book, superb condition and the delivery was very very prompt. Will certainly use this seller again