Humankind has come a long way since our ancestors first stood up on two feet, but how did we get to where we are today? This book tells our story, through conflict and intrigue, power won and lost, and great empires built and destroyed.

Award-winning author Alex Woolf brings you an accessible, enjoyable exploration of human history. Whether you want to uncover the secrets of the first civilizations, follow marauding Mongols on their quest to conquer, find out what made colonial empires tick, or the more modern origins of current conflict, the answers lie within these pages.

Looking to our recent history, the last section focuses on the great themes of the 21st century so far: population growth, technology, climate change, and religious extremism. Whatever the future may hold for us, we have much to learn from our past.

• Illustrated throughout
• Timelines for easy reference
• Feature information panels