Michael Kerrigan’s *History of the World* is an expansive and visually captivating journey through the key events and milestones of human civilization. Spanning from the earliest civilizations of the Indus Valley and Mesopotamia to the digital age of the 21st century, this chronological account offers readers a broad yet engaging overview of humanity’s most significant achievements, upheavals, and transformations.

What makes *History of the World* stand out is its accessible yet comprehensive approach. Kerrigan skillfully weaves together a rich tapestry of events, from the development of writing systems and farming methods to the rise and fall of empires and the advent of modern technology. By presenting these moments in a timeline format, he allows readers to appreciate the long arc of human progress while seeing the intricate connections between different regions and cultures across time.

The book’s structure is particularly effective, organizing history into digestible segments that range from the construction of the Egyptian pyramids to Martin Luther’s Reformation and the dawn of the nuclear age. Each event is placed within its wider context, giving readers a clear sense of its historical significance and how it contributed to the shaping of the world we know today. Kerrigan does a remarkable job of balancing Western and non-Western histories, offering insights into the rise of Islamic civilization, the rule of the Tokugawa shoguns in Japan, and the Viking raids that reshaped Europe, among many others.

One of the strongest aspects of *History of the World* is its visual appeal. With sumptuous illustrations, maps, and photographs, the book serves as both a historical reference and a visual guide, making the events feel more immediate and real. These images complement Kerrigan’s clear, concise prose, allowing readers to immerse themselves in the physical remnants of the past—whether it’s a funerary tomb in Ancient Egypt or a steam locomotive from the Industrial Revolution.

However, what elevates this book beyond just a timeline of events is its exploration of the broader themes that have defined human history: innovation, conflict, faith, and power. Kerrigan doesn't simply recount facts; he encourages readers to think about the underlying forces that have driven change and progress. From the rise of democratic governance in Ancient Athens to the fall of empires after World War I, the book emphasizes how history is shaped not only by individuals but by societal transformations, technological advancements, and shifting ideologies.

For readers looking for a comprehensive yet accessible guide to human history, *History of the World* is an invaluable resource. It serves as an excellent starting point for those new to historical studies while offering seasoned history enthusiasts a beautifully curated overview of the past. Kerrigan’s work is a reminder of how far humanity has come and how interconnected our global history truly is.

Whether you’re fascinated by ancient civilizations, revolutionary movements, or modern technological breakthroughs, *History of the World* provides a sweeping and enriching account of the moments that have defined us as a species. It's a book that is as informative as it is visually stunning—a perfect addition to any history lover’s library.

This book offers a comprehensive and visually stunning journey through human history. Arranged chronologically, it covers key milestones, from the Bronze Age to the 21st century, with rich illustrations accompanying the narrative.

I enjoyed the cross-cultural nature of the book—it brought to life, for instance, that Confucius and the Buddha lived at about the same time, and King John of England was a contemporary of Genghis Khan. It emphasized that different cultures didn’t exist in isolation but were woven into a tapestry of human progress.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

From sixth millennium BCE, in the Indus Valley, Mesopotamia to Bletchley Park during World War II..this great book covers a lot! I am a sucker for a textbook…yes i was the kid that read my history textxbooks as soon as I got them. They are the great mix between images and text. This book was similar. A bunch of images of historical items and places, and text to learn from. This is a great book for anyone, but definally would keep out for my son to browse through and explore history,

Thank you NetGalley and Amber Books for an advanced copy! ##HistoryoftheWorld #NetGalley

Anyone interested in the major highlights of world's history from 8000BC to the present will enjoy reading History of the World: From the Stone Age to the Tech Revolution. This book is like walking through a museum of history and viewing paintings, artifacts, and statues of history throughout time, except your feet won't get tired. More than 500 illustrations and photographs of objects, artworks, and primary documents are included in this book. After reading this book, you will have a more thorough understanding of history in an easy-to-follow sequential timeline format.

This was a great book! The pictures in this book were very beautiful and I enjoyed all the different time periods it covered .

Any book that sets out to cover the history of the world is bound to fall short and so I really shouldn't be surprised that it did. The world is too large and time is simply too long to go into depth on topics and still try to cover anything. There's a lot of good photographs, but much less good text. Probably a fine history book for children or coffee tables.

Like walking through a museum. The pictures are stunning. I loved the descriptions of the pictures and artifacts.

I would like to thank NetGalley and Amber Books Ltd for the ARC.

A great coffee table book that touches on the most important aspects of world history from pre-history til today. The photos bring it all to life and make it a nice book to flip through whether you're looking to learn something, or just to pass the time.

How do you define a history book? This book about human history is a chronological encyclopaedia/reference book which summarises the highlights in history.
The accompanying pictures and the overall presentation are good.
4.5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley, the author and publisher for allowing me to read this

History of the World by Michael Kerrigan, it does exactly what the title says, gives you a history of the world from circa 8000 BC to the 21st Century. The book does not linger on one topic or one part of history for too long. It does a great job at covering the main points of each part of history it covers. It does not have a lot of writing, which I see as a positive, and it has a lot of pictures to help you with the visual aspects of these parts of history. It reads a lot like a coffee table book, which is great for a book that wants to give you a history of the world. A regular book would be too long and frankly, probably boring.

I really enjoyed the photos of the various artifacts and ruins that are included with their blurb. It really helps you visually connect the with the history being presented.