The full story of human endeavor - complete with its dramas, wars, schemes, discoveries, and personalities - is laid out before you in this illustrated guide to the history of our world. Who were the Mongols, the Maya, or Isis? How far did the Roman or the British empire stretch? Why did apartheid or Communism begin, and what were the issues in the Vietnam War? Eyewitness Companion: World History is your convenient reference, answering all your questions. But it also tells you why events happen and explain key issues. Its timelines trace events as they happen, from the appearance of the first humans in Africa to first civilizations and then on to recent wars in Afghanistan and Iraq and the space race. It succinctly explains how one event led to another and sums up topics that include ancient Egypt, the Romans, the Renaissance, World Wars I and II, slavery and empire, and Communist China. Dotted throughout this comprehensive volume are sumptuous images that reveal historical world treasures, such as the 16,000-year old cave paintings at Lascaux, Machu Picchu, and the Taj Mahal. With wide coverage of the world's civilizations, events, ideas, and discoveries, Eyewitness Companion: World History is both an essential reference and a fascinating read.

Originally told to explain the mysteries of the world—such as creation, divine will, fertility, death, and love—myths are a major part of many cultures throughout the world, and each area has its own myths. Organized by geographic region, each myth is placed within the civilization’s history and context. The key elements of world mythology, such as the hero, his divine connection, the labyrinth, the initiation, and the transformation,are explored in boxes and features throughout the book. Philip Wilkinson has more than 50 titles to his credit in the fields of mythology, history, and the arts, including DK’s Illustrated Dictionaries of Mythology and Religions. Neil Philip is the author of many books on folklore and mythology, including The Illustrated Book of Myths and Myths and Legends Explained. Synopses of the great myths that have inspired human creativity from antiquity to the present Covers mythology around the globe, from the classic Greek to lesser known Malaysian Catalogs of gods by subject enable comparisons of distant civilizations

Take a trip through the defining moments of our global story and see the thinkers, leaders, ideas, and inventions that have shaped the world. Presented in a beautiful slipcase, World History is an essential guide for anyone who loves history or wants to broaden their knowledge. This accessible book covers over 350 of the world's most important turning points, from our earliest human ancestors of prehistory to political events of the modern world. Follow detailed maps showing the continuous movement of humans across the Earth, and examine fascinating paintings illustrating the events and individuals that took them there. Beautiful photography throughout the book will carry you back in time to see the people and places of the stories - along with stunning artifacts from every historical period. From magnificent buildings like the Colosseum to magnificent words like "I have a dream!", this guide brings history's most significant events to life for every reader to discover and enjoy.

An essential guide to the key wine and wine-producing regions of France, this unpretentious and informative reference brings each wine and region to life with detailed maps and photographs to help you discover the best wines and where they are produced. Includes more than 200 major appellations and best vintages Regional resources show where to eat, stay, drink and buy wine Appeals to both the novice and the connoisseur

Explore the world''s greatest buildings! Architecture is filled with amazing illustrations and photographs that take you to the heart of the world''s landmark buildings. Get the opportunity to look beyond the facade. Examine materials and technology that shape buildings, and identify thekey elements and decorative features of each architectural style. This is the best definitive visual guide on architecture; it covers 5,000 years of architectural design, style, and construction from airports to ziggurats. Dissects architectural wonders inside and out Includes palaces, great temples, cathedrals and towering modern skyscrapers

An authoritative and encouraging guide, Scuba Diving contains expert advice and step-by-step illustrations on how to perfect key skills, how to buy and maintain equipment, what the different diving options are and where to find classic dive sites around the world. Scuba Diving covers different types of diving from reef and ice to wreck, nocturnal, and fresh water. Equipment is showcaseed in detail, from wetsuits and masks to flippers and buoyancy aids. This eBook also include information about marine life, from tropical fish and manta rays to whales, dolphins and sharks.

Presents an illustrated introduction to golf, including information on its history, rules, etiquette, equipment, courses, tournaments, and skills needed to play.

Examine the ideas and traditions of Western and Eastern thought ‘Packed with all the information, advice and tips you’ll need to get on your way.’ Good times July/Aug "Eyewitness Companions offer an essential reference library, perfect for novices or anyone who hust wants to know more about their favourite pastime." Heyday A demystifying guide to a misunderstood subject. Learn to understand the major issues, theories and problems at the heart of philosophy and watch hard-to-grasp concepts come to life. Discover philosophers answers to the ‘big questions’ Where do we come from? What is the perfect model for society? What is the meaning of life? Discover who's who and know all the major thinkers, from Aristotle to Zeno. Use the ‘toolkit’ to exercise your mind, learn to talk the talk and construct and communicate philosophical arguments. Start reading, start thinking.

Travel to mighty civilisations to explore the progress of humanity. Follow earth-shattering wars and revolutions, major achievements in the fields of science and technology and milestones in the arts.

This reference book begins with a fascinating history of the evolution of cats from their wild origins to their multiple incarnations as human companions and their appearance in culture and religion through the ages. It continues with individual accounts of breeds from Siamese to Sphinx and finishes with the acquisition and care of cats- their behaviours and basic psychology, training, grooming and basic first aid.