Atlas of World History

This really isn't a bad atlas, provided you don't already own the Anchor Atlas of World History. Howver, if you do own the Anchor Atlas, you will realize the lack of detail this atlas provides. Sure it has maps but there are not nearly as many as Anchor and they are too few to make this atlas truly impressive. I will say the text is better than Anchor Atlas, and it obviously is more modern, but this atlas just didn't get me interested as did Anchor. Still for the money it has a lot to offer and its text is done with critical thought in mind. For students who need a quick refernce there isn't much this book misses, though more maps are what a historical atlas should be all about. Add more maps into the next edition, or create a new atlas with a map focus, and the product will truly be a hsitorical atlas. Perhaps there is just a lack of quailty historical geographers out there willing to undertake such an endeavor.

The dust jacket best describes the virtues of this book: "The Atlas of World History looks at the broad sweep of human history, from our earliest beginnings in Africa to the world at the start of the twenty-first century. Truly international, it examines regions and events in a combination of specially drawn, full-color maps, fascinating text and lavish illustrations." It is an excellent reference guide for general readers seeking to understanding the broader context in which we are operating today. Another excellent resouce is a college-level course, "A Brief History of the World," taught by Prof. Peter N. Stearns of George Mason University. The course contains 36 half-hour lectures, and it is available to the public through The Teaching Company. Both Prof. Stearns' course and the Atlas of World History perfectly complement each other in providing an overview of the broad sweep of world history.

If you're interested in an overview of world history, in a book with nice maps and pictures, this is one to consider. This is very beautifully put together, and when you factor in the price, well, just get it. Get it? Would I buy this again, now that I've seen it? Yes. 'Nuff said.