National Geographic Almanac of World History [Paperback]

Patricia S. Daniels (Author), Steve Hyslop (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 15, 2006

From the first civilizations to the 21st century, this wide-ranging, compulsively readable book encompasses all of world history—great ages and monumental events; the rise and fall of cultures; names, dates, and statistics; and stories galore. Designed as an authoritative reference that's also irresistible to browse, it's a brilliant blend of narrative, analysis, detailed facts, and visual variety including sidebars, time lines and more than 200 maps and illustrations.

The book offers four revealing ways to look at the human epic. In Milestones, 12 essays address key developments from agriculture and writing to modern democracy and other important themes; next, Major Eras takes a chronological approach, examining 11 eras from prehistory to the present. World at a Glance traces specific subjects through the centuries, with entries on Wars, Religions, Human Accomplishments, Leaders, Artists, and more. An expansive appendix listing presidents, popes, and other world figures, as well as a bibliography, a glossary, and a comprehensive index round out this amazing reference.

A book that meets the most demanding standards of accuracy and graphic excellence, this is an indispensable tool for students and an illuminating, engrossing exploration for anyone interested in the who, what, why, when, and where of world history.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Patricia Daniels is an author and editor for National Geographic who has written, edited, or contributed to books on history, science, and geography, most recently the National Geographic Encyclopedia of Space. She lives in State College, Pennsylvania.

Stephen G. Hyslop has been a writer and editor for Time-Life Books and National Geographic, as well as author of Bound for Santa Fe and Chroniclers of Indian Life. He lives in Virginia.

Douglas G. Brinkley is the director of the Theodore Roosevelt Center for American Civilization and Professor of History at Tulane University. He authored two New York Times Best Sellers: Tour of Duty: John Kerry and the Vietnam War and Voices of Valor: D-Day; June 6, 1944. He is the official historian for NBC News. Dr. Brinkley is contributing editor for the Los Angeles Times Book Review and American Heritage and a contributor to the New York Timesand The New Yorker.

Product Details

• Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: National Geographic (August 15, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0792259114
• ISBN-13: 978-0792259114
• Product Dimensions: 7.4 x 1 x 9.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #99,769 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #36 in Books > Education & Reference > Almanacs & Yearbooks > Almanacs
  • #94 in Books > Education & Reference > Atlases & Maps > Atlases

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

77 of 80 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I Rate and Compare World History Atlas Books, December 18, 2005

By 

J. E. Robinson - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Almanac of World History (National Geographic) (Hardcover)

As a reader I like to have quick reference books at my finger tips including a new version of the Oxford English Dictionary about 3500 pages long - that I use almost daily. So I decided to add a "history atlas". In the process of doing my research I read the other amazon.com reviewers and then made three trips to two large book stores to actually look at the books and get a better feel for which was the best. I ended up buying the Oxford Atlas of World History. Here are my picks and rankings.

Listed by My ranking, #1 is the best, #2 is a creative alternative but no substitute.

1. Atlas of World History, Oxford University Press 2002, 368 pages, (...), 13.5" x 10.3" x 1.62" ranked 46,632 on Amazon.com. Hands down winner - professional - good text descriptions, outstanding maps and drawings, covers most things from the cave man forward. Negatives: Big and heavy. If you want to save a few dollars buy the "concise" version.

2. Creative alternative: The Penguin Atlas of World History, Penguin Books 2004, (...), just a paperback sized, just published, 304 pages. Surprisingly impressive, lots of text and pictures mixed together and it is easy to carry around. A nice quick alternative but it will be printed in two volumes.

3. Timelines of World History, DK Publishing 2002, 666 pages, (...). 10.0" x 1.6" ranked 25,800 on Amazon.com. Second with lots of value but in some ways not as comprehensive.

4. National Geographic Almanac of World History, National Geographic 2003, 384 pages, (...), 9.6" x 7.8" x 1.17" ranked 24,426 on Amazon.com. Similar to but less impressive than Oxford books. More text, narrower coverage, fewer maps and drawings.

5. DK Atlas of World History, DK Publishing, 352 pages,(...), 10.96" x 14.66" x 1.28" ranked 10,716 on Amazon.com. My last place book seems like a giant comic book. I love the DK travel books but this seems like one step beyond DK's area of expertise. Superficially it is similar to the Oxford book and it is cheap, and some might like it but it tries to be politically correct and fails.

6. Oxford Dictionary of World History, Oxford University Press, 704 pages, (...), pocketbook sized, sales rank 330,000. Mainly terms, people, and dates but has a few maps also. Limited use but an alternative. I prefer the new Penguin book but this is the best history dictionary to buy.

21 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The most useful book on my shelf!, January 2, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Almanac of World History (National Geographic) (Hardcover)

The Almanac of World History is a pricelss resource. First of all, the book now cost half of it's original price! The book is worth the oiginal $60.00 price tag. If you're looking for a book that sums up world history AND will maintain your interest, this book is for you! I find myself referring to this book countless times. This is a book that should be in every home! The book provides pictures,timelines,short dialogues and text to bring history alive! Our culture is so confined to American history. Do yourself a favor and begin to explore the history of the world. This book is a great place to start!

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Nice World History Almanac, February 26, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Almanac of World History (National Geographic) (Hardcover)

This is a very useful almanac if you are interested in World History, covers all the world, well designed and well written, contains basic information about the world history as expected from an Almanac. But, I have one thing to criticize. A little confusing, as the close civilizations in character fall apart in the book. So you jump from one civilization to a totally different one that takes you away from the subject on which you have already focused. Other than that, I think it is a better idea to make it more detailed in more volumes.