World History - From the Dawn of Civilization to the 21st Century

Author: Frommkin
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-06-01
Features: Thirty thousand years ago, in a cave in southwestern Europe, a shaman clad in bear pelts spoke to attentive followers about the past and the present. The flickering fire cast wavering shadows on the walls. Blood was shed as a sacrifice, and the spirits offered protection. With his low voice, the shaman recounted the truths of life and death, the changing seasons, and the movement of celestial bodies, repeating the familiar stories of his people: the followers of the tribe, the ancestors passed down through generations, and the destinies foretold long ago. "Can you tell us completely the story of humanity in the universe?" "Of course, but I must do so in my own way." Twelve fundamental turning points have led humanity from the forests of Africa millions of years ago to the 21st century. What narrative technique can condense the many twists and turns of human destiny into a single story? What historian can, like a shaman by the campfire, sketch out its outline in a short time?—The answer is in your hands. A person's childhood experiences often reveal their later life, and similarly, the events of humanity's childhood can help explain the present. History is the entire story of human life. It points out human failures as well as their successes; it narrates their laws as well as their wars; it strives to reveal their religion as well as their art; it considers their hopes and fears, as well as their inventions and discoveries. Reading history benefits the health of our minds. It teaches us moderation and tolerance, and it teaches us the relativity of wisdom and values. History illuminates the present with the light of the past. It introduces us to other peoples, enabling us to understand ourselves better. It gives meaning to the books we read, the cities we see, and the music we hear, making our lives richer and more interesting.