National Geographic Concise History of the World: An Illustrated Time Line

Great!!!

FINDING THE RIGHT TEXTBOOKS FOR A FRESHMAN COURSE IN CIVILIZATION THAT I HAVE TAUGHT FOR 27 YEARS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM. MAJOR TEXTBOOKS ARE ENCYCLOPEDIC AND OFTEN DULL, AND IT HAS BEEN DIFFICULT TO MOTIVATE MY [175 OR SO] STUDENTS TO ACTUALLY READ THE TEXT. TO MAKE IT WORSE, PUBLISHERS CHANGE EDITIONS EVERY TWO YEARS MAKING BACK COPIES OBSOLETE. I SWITCHED TO A LIMITED BUT INTERESTING ANALYTIC TEXT, [CIVILIZATION: A NEW HISTORY OF THE WESTERN WORLD, BY ROGER OSBORNE]AND ADDED "A CONCISE HISTORY..." ALONG WITH A FLEXIBLE "BROWSING" SYSTEM THAT SENT STUDENTS HERE AND THERE REVIEWING BOTH CURIOUS TRIVIA [1800:WM. YOUNG DESIGNS SHOES SPECIFICALLY FOR THE RIGHT AND LEFT FEET] AND MAJOR EVENTS THROUGHOUT THE WORLD, FROM PRE-HISTORY TO THE CONTEMPORARY WORLD. ALSO, AS A PROF AT A CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY I FOUND "A CONCISE HISTORY..." BOTH FAIR AND REASONABLY INCLUSIVE [e.g., ABRAHAM, ca 2100; AN EXTENDED SURVEY OF UR, MOSES AND THE 10 COMMANDMENTS,1300 BCE; ELIJAH AND ELISHA, c.a. 860] TO BIBLICAL HISTORY.

I wasn't quite ready for the book's layout- it's written using timeline, column and rows with an occasional break to preface or highlight an era using paragraphs etc. This isn't historical fiction but then how could it be? There's far too much imformation for that- it is after all a history of the world! Once I got the hang of the layout I beggan to enjoy it reading it bit by bit. Probably best used to focus in on a particular time or culture- when backgound info is needed. This NG book will add to anyone's library- pick it up.

Elegant, informative, inspiring, and beautifully done. Bought this as a gift for a 16-yr-old friend, with hopes that it will over the years serve him and his children well. The book is NOT a complete history and lists only high points. However, its organization is terrific, and its edited insertions each provide the challenge for many hours to be spent in additional research, making it perfect for adults and youngsters alike.

This is well constructed and gives concise info of each age. Also, it will compare areas of the world at the same age. Great book for those interested in world history.

This book is terrific. I've been looking for a reference that can outline significant events, people, etc., across time and geography, and this book does exactly that. It's a great way to compare and contrast moments in history. This isn't meant to be a detailed encyclopedic tome. It's a well-illustrated, easy to read, quick reference book. Another great product from National Geographic.

Gave initially as a gift, upon review decided to give myself the gift as well

Great resource. A little pricey but it has served its purpose in our homeschool. We use it weekly to help us find important dates to add to our time line. Great for middle school age and up.

Nice book. Lot of information

very good

It's so nice to see what else was happening at the time of a main event, it gives you a better perspective and food for thought. Would such and such have happened if so and so wasn't going on too? Hours of wonderful debates. Very well done and fascinating stuff.

good gift

Thanks