A Short History of the World

Here is a masterly account of the grand adventure of human history, brilliantly narrated by a distinguished historian.

A superb history of the world's people during the last four million years, beginning before the human race moved out of Africa to explore and settle the other continents. Mr. Blainey explores the development of technology and skills, the rise of major religions, and the role of geography, considering both the larger patterns and the individual nature of history. A delightful read, gracefully written, and full of odd and interesting pieces of information as well as thoughtful comparisons that span both time and space. —William L. O'Neill

Part 1 List of Maps vii
Part 2 Preface ix
Part 3 PART ONE
Chapter 4 From Africa 3
Chapter 5 When the seas were rising 16
Chapter 6 The first green revolution 31
Chapter 7 The dome of night 45
Chapter 8 Cities of the valleys 53
Chapter 9 Amazing sea 68
Chapter 10 Lord of the Yellow, King of the Ganges 85
Chapter 11 The rise of Rome 101
Chapter 12 Israel and the anointed one 114
Chapter 13 After Christ 124
Chapter 14 The sign of the crescent 140
Chapter 15 The wild geese cross the mountains 150
Chapter 16 Towards Polynesia 159
Part 17 PART TWO
Chapter 18 Signpost 173
Chapter 19 The Mongols 175
Chapter 20 The perils of climate and disease 186
Chapter 21 New messengers 196
Chapter 22 Birdcage 205
Chapter 23 The Inca and the Andes 219
Chapter 24 Reformation 231
Chapter 25 Voyage to India 248
Chapter 26 The New World bears gifts 257
Chapter 27 The glass eye of science 269
Chapter 28 Dethroning the harvest 281
Part 29 PART THREE
Chapter 30 The fall of a pack of cards 299
Chapter 31 Beyond the Sahara 314
Chapter 32 Noble steam 323
Chapter 33 Will all be equal? 340
Chapter 34 A globe unwrapped 356
Chapter 35 The world wars 370
Chapter 36 The bomb and the moon 384
Chapter 37 No fruits, no birds 402
Part 38 Epilogue 415
Part 39 Selected Sources 419
Part 40 Index 439