The Usborne Encyclopedia of World History

This encyclopedia is a combined volume of four previously released titles: Prehistoric World, Ancient World, Medieval World, and The Last 500 Years. Both The Prehistoric World and The Last 500 Years are currently out of print. One very handy feature of this book, and of all of Usborne's internet-linked books, is that Usborne continually updates their internet links so that you can be assured of having safe, reliable resources to further your studies. For this edition, there are currently over 800 internet links for you to explore.

Overall, this book, like all of Usborne's offerings, is beautifully illustrated and purposes to be an introduction to world history. With only 400 pages, you will need to delve deeper into interesting subjects with outside resources but the quick-links can assist you in easy access to extra visuals and information. The stated target audience is 8 years and up but younger children will enjoy "reading" the illustrations.

The Prehistoric World

This first section, which consists of the first 100 pages, is likely to be the only controversial section of the book. Usborne is a secular company and as such presents ancient history from an evolutionary stand-point. In some other books they do a good job of presenting evolution as theory but here, in this particular encyclopedia, Usborne presents these theories as facts. If you are uncomfortable with this and don't want what we call "conversation starters," consider just purchasing The Ancient World and The Medieval World.

This page shot shows Usborne's version of prehistoric time, starting with the Big-Bang Theory and showing the development of life. (Excuse my poor photography. Taking photos of book pages is harder than I imagined.)

The Ancient World

This is where the book gets fun for those of us in Classical Conversations doing Cycle 1 Ancient History. There are approximately 100 pages covering history from the first farmers who lived in the Fertile Crescent to the Fall of Rome around 500 AD. Usually 2 to 4 pages are devoted to each subject, with many more internet links available online.

The Minoans

For example, 4 pages provide an overview for the Minoans (c2500BC - 1450BC) and by going online to the Quick-Links you will be directed to two distinct websites and four other images, all pertaining to the two pages shown on the left. The next page, also about the Minoans, has three separate linked websites and even more images.

The Medieval World

I haven't delved in to the Medieval World section as fully as the Ancient World chapters but this part of the book looks very promising. This section covers what was happening all over the world from around 500 to 1500 AD, starting with the Byzantine Empire and ending in the Renaissance Period. I especially appreciate the many sections on non-European history since my understanding of world events in Africa, Asia, India, and China is pretty much non-existent.

Byzantine Empire

Similar to the Minoan pages above, the Quick-Links given for the Byzantine Empire include two websites and a few pictures. Currently one of the websites explores the art and history of the time and includes both a slideshow and a timeline.

The Last 500 Years

For most of the world, the last 500 years have brought forth dramatic changes and Usborne attempts to give a broad overview in just about 100 pages. What surprised me most about this section was that Usborne, as is appropriate for a book focused on world history, did not award a ton of extra space to American history. Perhaps we have a few more pages than, for example, China, but not many and there isn't a noticeable American bent (although I'm writing as an American so perhaps I wouldn't notice?).

Final Thoughts

Outside of the section on Prehistoric History, I think this is a great reference book to have on the shelf. I wish Usborne would be more consistent in presenting scientific theories as theories rather than as facts, as they occasionally do. This doesn't stop me from loving and using their many books but it seems such a simple change of wording would be easy to accomplish. Other than that one downside, I wholeheartedly recommend this book.

Happy Reading!