Synopses & Reviews
Oxford's Atlas of World History is the result of years of intensive work by a specialist team of scholars, editors, and cartographers. It presents the story of humanity in its physical setting, from the emergence of the earliest hominoids to the present day. Truly international in scope, the atlas incorporates the latest research into Asian, African, and Central and South American history, as well as the traditional core of North American and European events.
The Atlas includes sections on the Ancient World, Medieval World, Early Modern World, Age of Revolutions, and the Twentieth Century and Beyond. Each section opens with an introduction that highlights the main socioeconomic, cultural and religious themes of the period, followed by spreads of maps, text, illustrations and captions that discuss specific regions and eras. Spreads depict everything from hunting in Africa in 10,000 BC to the kingdoms of Southeast Asia in the earliest years of the millennium, the decline of the Byzantine Empire, the growth of the Atlantic economies in the 18th century, and standards of living since 1945.
The Atlas features some 450 vivid full-color maps illustrating the major themes and events of world history, 100 photographs, 60 diagrams and hundreds of thousands of words of explanatory text. Unique for such an atlas, the entire work is thoroughly cross-referenced, allowing the reader to move backwards and forwards in time or across the world from region to region, following themes or lines of inquiry across pages.
The new edition brings the Atlas into the 21st Century and up to the present day. New and updated maps and illustrations cover a wide range of evolving subjects such as population changes, international trading, urbanization, political and economic developments, literacy rates, the concentration of world languages, and many more important and always timely subjects. Coverage of Africa, South Asia, Eastern Europe, and every other part of the world is revisited and updated, making this the most up-to-date atlas of world history available, in addition to being the most complete.
A comprehensive index of more than 8,000 entries includes numerous alternative name forms used over the centuries. The Atlas of World History closes with a bibliography that provides a booklist for suggested further reading. Equally well-suited for a general audience and students of history or international relations, the Atlas of World History continues Oxford's presence as the premier publisher of world atlases.
Review
"Tremendous scope."
--Library Journal
"Linkage between entries is ably provided within the descriptive text. . . .An excellent atlas."
--American Reference Book Annual
"The maps you always wanted and could never find."
--History Matters!
"Fun and interesting. Easy-to-read."
--Eric Alterman, TheNation.com
"This informative volume can provide hours of enjoyment for the whole family."
--Dayton Daily News
"Beautifully drawn and printed. Readers who enjoy history will find this an invaluable companion."
--Kirkus Reviews
"Attractive and engaging. Highly recommended."
--Booklist
Synopsis
Blending exceptional cartography and impeccable scholarship, the Atlas of World History spans 12,000 years from prehistory to the present. Hundreds of stunning full-color maps and illustrations provide a vivid, detailed account of human progress around the globe, beginning with the first civilizations of Mesopotamia and culminating in the major world events of the 21st century. The Atlas is the result of years of intensive research by a team of scholars and experts, and is an invaluable reference source for anyone wishing to better understand history on an international scale.
The fully updated Second Edition brings this groundbreaking work to the present day, depicting the latest developments in world religions, populations, languages, trade, and many other aspects of history and human society. Maps, tables, charts, and a fascinating narrative present clear pictures of exactly how much literacy has evolved in recent years, or how carbon dioxide emissions are threatening world coastlines. These updates occur throughout the Atlas, which includes five sections: the Ancient World (with spreads on, among other eras, places and events, Egypt, China, the Silk Road, and the Roman Empire), the Medieval World (including the spread of Islam, the Vikings, the Economy of Europe, and the Inca and Aztec Empires); the Early Modern World (the European discovery of the New World, the Reformation, the growth of science); the Age of Revolutions (the Industrial Revolution, American Civil War, the modernization of Japan); and the Twentieth Century and Beyond (the Russian Revolution, the Great Depression, the Second World War, and the Middle East since 1945). Longer essays throughout the book outline worldwide trends, political developments and military conflicts, highlighting the most significant events and movements across the millennia. Cross references and an 8,000-entry index allow users to move quickly and easily through regions and time periods.
Also featuring a 22-page time chart; 20-page gazetteer of historical events, people, and places; and a helpful bibliography, the Atlas of World History is a spectacular blend of maps by world-renowned cartographers that graphically captures the flow of civilizations through time.
About the Author
Patrick O'Brien is the Centennial Professor of Economic History, London School of Economics and former director of the Institute of Historical Research at the University of London.
Table of Contents
Foreword
The Atlas of World History
Section 1: The Ancient World
Section 2: The Medieval World
Section 3: The Early Modern World
Section 4: The Age of Revolutions
Section 5: The Twentieth Century and Beyond
Index
Bibliography
Acknowledgements