The book delves into the pre-Columbian history of the Atlantic Ocean, tracing its geological formation to the Castilian conquest of the Canary Islands. John Haywood challenges the notion that Atlantic history starts with Columbus, emphasizing that European maritime skills evolved over centuries. Through his travels, he explores diverse locations and the rich tapestry of seafarers and cultures that shaped this history. By intertwining geology, mythology, and maritime technology, the narrative reveals the foundational role of the Atlantic in Europe's global exploration and colonial endeavors.
An original new way of appreciating the vast series of events that have shaped world history, allowing complete and quick comparability between different periods and regions. In Timelines, John Haywood presents a grand sweep of global history in an immediately accessible format. Using concise, insightful, and engaging text summaries alongside timelines, maps, and illustrations, Haywood takes the reader from the origins of our first ancestors up to the present day. A short essay introduces and summarizes the most important political and cultural landmarks, with a clear timeline then presenting events in four categories: “Politics & Economy,” “Religion & Philosophy,” “Science & Technology,” and “Arts & Architecture.” The book’s clear, concise, and accessible format allows the reader to achieve a new understanding of contemporaneous events across the globe, making unexpected and surprising links and connections across history. Who knew, for example, that at the same time the Bayeux Tapestry was being completed in Europe, Chinese scientist Shen Kuo was correctly explaining the origin of fossils? That as Peter the Great was modernizing Russia, Robert de La Salle was exploring the length of the Mississippi River and Christopher Wren was finishing St. Paul’s Cathedral in London? This original and authoritative book offers a unique way of appreciating the diverse array of events that have shaped world history.
The violent and predatory society of Dark Age Scandinavia left a unique impact on the history of medieval Europe. From their chill northern fastness, Norse warriors, explorers and merchants raided, traded, and settled across wide areas of Europe, Asia and the North Atlantic from the late 8th to the mid-11th century. THE VIKING CHRONICLES narrates their story focusing on places where key events were played out, from the sack of Lindisfarne in 793 to the murder in Iceland in 1241 of the saga-writer Snorri Sturluson. Such episodes are fascinating in themselves, but also shed crucial light on the nature of Viking activity – its causes, effects, and the reasons for its decline. In 800 the Scandinavians were barbarians in longboats bent on plunder and rapine; by 1200, their homelands were an integral part of Latin Christendom. John Haywood tells, in authoritative but compellingly readable fashion, the extraordinary story of the Viking Age.
Journey through 30,000 years of human history and explore the wonders of the
ancient world. Expert text and special fact boxes provide fascinating
historical context, with over 3000 amazing photographs, illustrations and
maps.
The first and only atlas to present global history in a series of uniform world-to-view maps, this groundbreaking volume allows complete and instant comparison between different periods and regions."--Book cover
Velké starověké civilizace jsou základem současného moderního světa a dodnes fascinují mnoho lidí. Tato kniha je fundovaným přehledem nejvýznamnějších starověkých kultur, jejich politického vývoje, náboženských představ, znalostí hospodářství, vědy, techniky a písma. Začínaje „prvními“ civilizacemi Sumerů a Egypta přes osobité indické a čínské civilizace, vyspělé kultury antického Řecka a Říma až po tajuplné říše Mayů a Aztéků se čtenář přenese do dávných časů lidstva.
In 1998 John Wood worked for Microsoft in Australia. He was a busy, successful
man. Then he went on vacation to Nepal and visited a school in a Himalayan
village, this changed his life. He helped the school and decided to change the
World! He started the charity Room to Read
