Vast and absorbing, spanning millennia of human history, The Timetables of History, achieves a goal in the study of the past that is unmatched by any other reference volume -- it gives us a sweeping overview of the making of the contemporary world. This remarkable book maps out at a glance what was happening simultaneously, from the dawn of history to the present day. Never before has progress been presented with such clarity or with a view that fully captures the essence and the excitement of civilization. Completely updated, featuring: * Recent breakthroughs in science and technology * New achievements in the visual arts and music * Milestones in religion, philosophy, and learning * The rise and fall of nations and the emergence of historic figures * Landmarks in the drama of daily life