<div><i>The Illustrated History of the World</i> is a lavish, comprehensive reference book that vividly depicts the fascinatingly varied civilizations of the ancient world along with the cultures and societies of the modern period that are rooted in them. Here the great civilizations of Greece, Rome, Egypt, the Fertile Crescent, China, Africa and India, and the diverse cultures of the modern world are brought to life through the close examination of daily life, trade and commerce, art and warfare. Special sections include "Myths and Religions of the Ancient World," "The Enlightenment," "Colonialism," and "UN and Aid Or-ganizations in the Modern World," to name just a few.<br><br>Full of colorful descriptions and curious details, this book also offers portraits of both well-known individuals, such as Winston Churchill and Leonardo Da Vinci, and lesser-known figures, such as Kubilai Khan and Akbar of Turkey.<br><br>Maps throughout provide a geographic context for people and events and work with running timelines, brief historical overviews and numerous color illustrations to offer a comprehensive examination of the unfolding pageant of human history.<br></div>