This world history narrative is intended for the general reader who wants to gain a broad understanding of human history in easily digestible chunks of concise knowledge.The Bedside Book of World History assembles those indistinct bits and pieces of history that we all encounter over our lifetimes into a clear and comprehensible picture of human development from prehistory to the present day-a picture that can help us understand who we are and where we came from. Read about a historical topic or two before switching off the lights at bedtime, and before long you will possess a useful overview of world history that can enhance your understanding of current events and your enjoyment of other books and articles you read. Topics average two to three meaty paragraphs in length, long enough to learn the essentials of a historical subject and why it's important, but not long enough to get bogged down in a lot of unnecessary details. Unlike other concise histories that may focus on impersonal historical processes, this historical narrative features men and women who helped to shape our world and who illustrate timeless aspects of human nature. And unlike the history books we encountered in school or college, this history identifies knowledge that can be applied in the future in the form of Recurring Dynamics of History. Interesting topics encountered in these pages may inspire additional bedtime reading, which you are now able to place within the context of extended human experience.