"A trailblazing account of human history, challenging our most fundamental assumptions about social evolution-from the development of agriculture and cities to the emergence of "the state," political violence, and social inequality-and revealing new possibilities for human emancipation. For generations, our remote ancestors have been cast as primitive and childlike—either free and equal innocents, or thuggish and warlike. Civilization, we are told,...

A counting book that explores the many facets of France, including its geography, history, culture, and recreations.

"This book brings readers on a journey through Peru, from the ruins of Machu Picchu to the bustling city of Lima. Readers will learn about the amazing Inca civilization and how Peru's history still affects culture today. This book highlights the incredible ways in which people have adapted to the geography of Peru, including high-altitude mountains and thick rainforest. This book celebrates the diversity and cultural vibrance of Peru, from the indigenous...

A temple cat in ancient Egypt grows tired of being worshiped and cared for in a reverent fashion and travels to the seaside, where she finds genuine affection with a fisherman and his children.

Twenty years ago, Bill Bryson went on a trip around Britain to discover and celebrate that green and pleasant land. The result was Notes from a Small Island, one of the bestselling travel books ever written. Now he has traveled about Britain again, by bus and train and rental car and on foot, to see what has changed -- and what hasn't. Following a route he dubs the Bryson Line, from Bognor Regis in the south to Cape Wrath in the north, by way of places...

Describes the farmers, soldiers, and citizens of ancient Greece and their way of living. Could you survive as an ancient Greek?

In this newly expanded edition, more than 4,000 articles cover prominent African and African American individuals, events, trends, places, political movements, art forms, businesses, religions, ethnic groups, organizations, countries, and more. Ninety years after W.E.B. Du Bois first articulated the need for "the equivalent of a black Encyclopedia Britannica," Kwame Anthony Appiah and Henry Louis Gates Jr., realized his vision by publishing Africana:...

A culture that has been around for 4,000 years, as Chinese culture has, obviously has a rich history. Ancient Chinese culture planted the seeds for modern China. This thought-provoking resource offers readers a glimpse into the major ages of China and their prominent contributions to history. Illuminating text details the influence of the Yellow River, the Shang (Bronze Age) ornamentation, the Great Wall from the Qin (Imperial Age), and silk use and...

Examines the history, achievements, and legacy of the Renaissance in Italy, with an emphasis on Florence and Rome.