13.8 billion years of human and cosmic history summarised in one big book.
At DK, we believe in the power of discovery. So with this brand-new history book, you can easily discover how we got to where we are within the context of our Universe. Prepare to take a journey back in time to the very beginning, from the Big Bang forming our Universe, to the dawn of time, stretching across to the present day, and explore the ways in which a series of major events has changed the nature and course of life on the planet we call home.
So prepare to dive deep into the past with this all-encompassing history book, which promises:
-Unique graphics and artworks
-Evidence spreads unpick aspects of different objects to explain how we know what we know
-Big ideas spreads and timelines explore connections between key events
-Optional 64-page reference section: Timelines of world history
With each page jam-packed with fantastic facts and extraordinary pictures, Big History brings together an incredible range of perspectives, by using multiple disciplines to examine 13.8 billion years of history and thus bringing to life the entire history of the world! Celebrate your curiosity as you explore a plethora of different subject areas, from astronomy to animal life, ocean floors to icy cores, early humans, the age of empires, climate change and more, this all-encompassing history fact book truly does have something for everyone to love.
A must-have volume for history enthusiasts who want to see the past come to life, and doubling up as an ideal read for kids aged 12+ and adults alike with an interest in cosmic and human history. Students and educators looking for an inspiring window into history will no doubt love this historical encyclopaedia, whereby the people and places of the past will be brought back to life before your very eyes in this riveting read.
Encompassing a foreword by Professor David Christian, whose Big History TED talk has had over 12 million views, and aligned with Bill Gates' online Big History Project, it's no wonder this extraordinary book is a global success, with 158,000 copies sold worldwide!
DK is ready to take you on an inspiring journey into the past and beyond. Are you coming with us?
Author(s): DK
Publisher: DK
Year: 2022
CONTENTS
FOREWORD BY DAVID CHRISTIAN
INTRODUCTION
1 THE BIG BANG
GOLDILOCKS CONDITIONS
ORIGIN STORIES
THE NEBRA SKY DISC
ASTRONOMY BEGINS
EARTH ORBITS THE SUN
SEEING THE LIGHT
THE ATOM AND THE UNIVERSE
THE UNIVERSE GETS BIGGER
THE EXPANDING UNIVERSE
THE BIG BANG
RE-CREATING THE BIG BANG
BEYOND THE BIG BANG
2 STARS ARE BORN
GOLDILOCKS CONDITIONS
THE FIRST STARS
THE PUZZLE OF GRAVITY
THE FIRST GALAXIES
HUBBLE EXTREME DEEP FIELD
3 ELEMENTS ARE FORGED
GOLDILOCKS CONDITIONS
THE LIFE CYCLE OF A STAR
HOW NEW ELEMENTS FORM INSIDE STARS
WHEN GIANT STARS EXPLODE
MAKING SENSE OF THE ELEMENTS
4 PLANETS FORM
GOLDILOCKS CONDITIONS
OUR SUN IGNITES
THE PLANETS FORM
THE IMILAC METEORITE
THE SUN TAKES CONTROL
HOW WE FIND SOLAR SYSTEMS
EARTH COOLS
EARTH SETTLES INTO LAYERS
THE MOON’S ROLE
THE CONTINENTS ARE BORN
DATING EARTH
ZIRCON CRYSTAL
CONTINENTS DRIFT
HOW EARTH’S CRUST MOVES
OCEAN FLOOR
5 LIFE EMERGES
GOLDILOCKS CONDITIONS
STORY OF LIFE
LIFE’S INGREDIENTS FORM
THE GENETIC CODE
LIFE BEGINS
HOW LIFE EVOLVES
HISTORY OF EVOLUTION
MICROBES APPEAR
LIFE DISCOVERS SUNLIGHT
OXYGEN FILLS THE AIR
COMPLEX CELLS EVOLVE
SEX MIXES GENES
CELLS BEGIN TO BUILD BODIES
MALES AND FEMALES DIVERGE
ANIMALS GET A BRAIN
ANIMAL LIFE EXPLODES
ANIMALS GAIN A BACKBONE
RISE OF THE VERTEBRATES
JAWS CREATE TOP PREDATORS
PLANTS MOVE ONTO LAND
WENLOCK LIMESTONE
ANIMALS INVADE LAND
REINVENTING THE WING
THE FIRST SEEDS
SHELLED EGGS ARE BORN
HOW COAL FORMED
LIZARD IN AMBER
THE LAND DRIES OUT
REPTILES DIVERSIFY
BIRDS TAKE TO THE AIR
CONTINENTS SHIFT AND LIFE DIVIDES
THE PLANET BLOSSOMS
MASS EXTINCTIONS
PLANTS RECRUIT INSECTS
THE RISE OF MAMMALS
GRASSLANDS ADVANCE
EVOLUTION TRANSFORMS LIFE
HOW WE CLASSIFY LIFE
ICE CORES
EARTH FREEZES
6 HUMANS EVOLVE
GOLDILOCKS CONDITIONS
THE PRIMATE FAMILY
HOMININS EVOLVE
APES BEGIN TO WALK UPRIGHT
GROWING A LARGER BRAIN
THE NEANDERTHALS
KEBRA NEANDERTHAL
EARLY HUMANS DISPERSE
ANCIENT DNA
THE FIRST HOMO SAPIENS
BRINGING UP BABIES
HOW LANGUAGE EVOLVED
COLLECTIVE LEARNING
THE BIRTH OF CREATIVITY
HUNTER-GATHERERS EMERGE
PALAEOLITHIC ART
THE INVENTION OF CLOTHING
HUMANS HARNESS FIRE
BURIAL PRACTICES
HUMANS BECOME DOMINANT
7 CIVILIZATIONS DEVELOP
GOLDILOCKS CONDITIONS
CLIMATE CHANGES THE LANDSCAPE
FORAGERS BECOME FARMERS
AFFLUENT FORAGERS
HUNTERS BEGIN TO GROW FOOD
FARMING BEGINS
WILD PLANTS BECOME CROPS
POLLEN GRAINS
FARMERS DOMESTICATE ANIMALS
FARMING SPREADS
MEASURING TIME
NEW USES FOR ANIMALS
INNOVATIONS INCREASE YIELDS
SURPLUS BECOMES POWER
POPULATION STARTS TO RISE
THE FENTON VASE
EARLY SETTLEMENTS
SOCIETY GETS ORGANIZED
RULERS EMERGE
LAW, ORDER, AND JUSTICE
THE WRITTEN WORD
WRITING DEVELOPS
268 WATERING THE DESERT
CITY-STATES EMERGE
FARMING IMPACTS THE ENVIRONMENT
BELIEF SYSTEMS
GRAVE GOODS
CLOTHING SHOWS STATUS
USING METALS
ÖTZI THE ICEMAN
CONFLICT LEADS TO WAR
AGE OF EMPIRES
HOW EMPIRES RISE AND FALL
MAKING MONEY
UNHEALTHY DEVELOPMENTS
TRADE NETWORKS DEVELOP
EAST MEETS WEST
TRADE GOES GLOBAL
8 INDUSTRY RISES
GOLDILOCKS CONDITIONS
THE INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION
COAL FUELS INDUSTRY
STEAM POWER DRIVES CHANGE
THE PROCESS OF INDUSTRIALIZATION
INDUSTRY GOES GLOBAL
GOVERNMENTS EVOLVE
CONSUMERISM TAKES OFF
EQUALITY AND FREEDOM
NATIONALISM EMERGES
THE INDUSTRIAL ECONOMY
THE WORLD OPENS TO TRADE
WAR DRIVES INNOVATION
COLONIAL EMPIRES GROW
SOCIETY TRANSFORMS
EDUCATION EXPANDS
MEDICAL ADVANCES
ROAD TO GLOBALIZATION
ENGINES SHRINK THE WORLD
NEWS TRAVELS FASTER
SOCIAL NETWORKS EXPAND
GROWTH AND CONSUMPTION
FINDING THE ENERGY
NUCLEAR OPTIONS
ENTERING THE ANTHROPOCENE
CLIMATE CHANGE
ELEMENTS UNDER THREAT
THE QUEST FOR SUSTAINABILITY
WHERE NEXT?
INDEX AND ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
