History of the World: From the Stone Age to the Tech Revolution

by Michael Kerrigan

448 pages, Hardcover

Published September 14, 2024

About the author

Michael Kerrigan is a seasoned freelance writer and editor with over thirty years of experience across a wide spectrum of publishing work, from advertising and catalogue copy to book blurbs and specialist nonfiction. A prolific author, he has written around sixty full-length books on subjects ranging from ancient warfare and Slavic myth to modern architecture and the science of consciousness, all aimed at a general readership. He contributed a weekly Books in Brief column to The Scotsman for two decades and has reviewed extensively for the Times Literary Supplement, The Guardian, and Financial Times.

Reviews

[Joanne Ellis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Michael Kerrigan’s *History of the World* is an expansive and visually captivating journey through the key events and milestones of human civilization. Spanning from the earliest civilizations of the Indus Valley and Mesopotamia to the digital age of the 21st century, this chronological account offers readers a broad yet engaging overview of humanity’s most significant achievements, upheavals, and transformations.

What makes *History of the World* stand out is its accessible yet comprehensive approach. Kerrigan skillfully weaves together a rich tapestry of events, from the development of writing systems and farming methods to the rise and fall of empires and the advent of modern technology. By presenting these moments in a timeline format, he allows readers to appreciate the long arc of human progress while seeing the intricate connections between different regions and cultures across time.

The book’s structure is particularly effective, organizing history into digestible segments that range from the construction of the Egyptian pyramids to Martin Luther’s Reformation and the dawn of the nuclear age. Each event is placed within its wider context, giving readers a clear sense of its historical significance and how it contributed to the shaping of the world we know today. Kerrigan does a remarkable job of balancing Western and non-Western histories, offering insights into the rise of Islamic civilization, the rule of the Tokugawa shoguns in Japan, and the Viking raids that reshaped Europe, among many others.

One of the strongest aspects of *History of the World* is its visual appeal. With sumptuous illustrations, maps, and photographs, the book serves as both a historical reference and a visual guide, making the events feel more immediate and real. These images complement Kerrigan’s clear, concise prose, allowing readers to immerse themselves in the physical remnants of the past—whether it’s a funerary tomb in Ancient Egypt or a steam locomotive from the Industrial Revolution.

However, what elevates this book beyond just a timeline of events is its exploration of the broader themes that have defined human history: innovation, conflict, faith, and power. Kerrigan doesn't simply recount facts; he encourages readers to think about the underlying forces that have driven change and progress. From the rise of democratic governance in Ancient Athens to the fall of empires after World War I, the book emphasizes how history is shaped not only by individuals but by societal transformations, technological advancements, and shifting ideologies.

For readers looking for a comprehensive yet accessible guide to human history, *History of the World* is an invaluable resource. It serves as an excellent starting point for those new to historical studies while offering seasoned history enthusiasts a beautifully curated overview of the past. Kerrigan’s work is a reminder of how far humanity has come and how interconnected our global history truly is.

Whether you’re fascinated by ancient civilizations, revolutionary movements, or modern technological breakthroughs, *History of the World* provides a sweeping and enriching account of the moments that have defined us as a species. It's a book that is as informative as it is visually stunning—a perfect addition to any history lover’s library.

[J Earl · Rating 5 out of 5]

History of the World by Michael Kerrigan is an excellent overview of, well, the history of the world. Okay, more specifically, the history of humans and our later evolutionary predecessors.

First, my rating. I am not rating this compared to multi-volume in-depth histories that go much deeper, I am rating this as what it intended to be: an overview with enough detail to tell the big story and to give those wanting a deeper dive a starting point to dig deeper. This is not a Kerrigan vs Huizinga or Braudel rating, they had different goals and each did what they set out to do.

This is a wonderful book that can serve as a coffee table book that might also pique your child's interest in history and all that goes with it. Different cultures, different ways of living, subjects as diverse as archaeology, sociology, natural science, medicine, and maybe even simply history.

This really doesn't need to be mentioned but to cover all bases, there is a lot less coverage of very early history, you know, before anything was or even could be written down. You know, a serious lack of sources. There is a marked slant toward western history and culture. A definite weakness but one that, unfortunately, probably speaks more to the intended readership than to a desire to not be more inclusive. From the perspective of someone who likes coffee table (and end table) books I can compensate by having a good volume on display alongside this with a non- or less- western slant. In fact, it probably allows for both books to be a little deeper in what they do cover. A true history of the world with equal treatment worldwide would be unwieldy or nothing more than a list of people, countries, movements, and events.

The text is well-written and the images are very nice. This can be a great conversation starter with friends and something that can spark interest in younger minds.

Reviewed from a copy made available by the publisher via NetGalley.

[Marija · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book provides a comprehensive and visually stunning journey through human history. It is arranged chronologically and covers key milestones from the Bronze Age to the 21st century, with rich illustrations accompanying the narrative. For readers seeking a comprehensive yet accessible guide to human history, *History of the World* is an invaluable resource. It serves as an excellent starting point for those new to historical studies, while offering seasoned history enthusiasts a beautifully curated overview of the past. Kerrigan’s work is a reminder of how far humanity has come and how interconnected our global history truly is. Whether you’re fascinated by ancient civilizations, revolutionary movements, or modern technological breakthroughs, *History of the World* provides a sweeping and enriching account of the moments that have defined us as a species. It's a book that is as informative as it is visually stunning—a perfect addition to any history lover’s library. I would like to thank NetGalley and Amber Books Ltd for the ARC."

[Michael Jacobs · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley, the author and publisher for allowing me to read this

History of the World by Michael Kerrigan, it does exactly what the title says, gives you a history of the world from circa 8000 BC to the 21st Century. The book does not linger on one topic or one part of history for too long. It does a great job at covering the main points of each part of history it covers. It does not have a lot of writing, which I see as a positive, and it has a lot of pictures to help you with the visual aspects of these parts of history. It reads a lot like a coffee table book, which is great for a book that wants to give you a history of the world. A regular book would be too long and frankly, probably boring.

I really enjoyed the photos of the various artifacts and ruins that are included with their blurb. It really helps you visually connect the with the history being presented.

[Andrea Wenger · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book offers a comprehensive and visually stunning journey through human history. Arranged chronologically, it covers key milestones, from the Bronze Age to the 21st century, with rich illustrations accompanying the narrative.

I enjoyed the cross-cultural nature of the book—it brought to life, for instance, that Confucius and the Buddha lived at about the same time, and King John of England was a contemporary of Genghis Khan. It emphasized that different cultures didn’t exist in isolation but were woven into a tapestry of human progress.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anyone interested in the major highlights of world's history from 8000BC to the present will enjoy reading History of the World: From the Stone Age to the Tech Revolution. This book is like walking through a museum of history and viewing paintings, artifacts, and statues of history throughout time, except your feet won't get tired. More than 500 illustrations and photographs of objects, artworks, and primary documents are included in this book. After reading this book, you will have a more thorough understanding of history in an easy-to-follow sequential timeline format.

[Sarah Lowe · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book provides us with a brilliantly illustrated survey of the history of the world. If you are interested in learning about world history, this book is a great starting point. The pictures are beautiful, and the text is easy to read. I will be purchasing this title for our library as a supplement for alternatively educamated individuals, novice history buffs, and patrons who just want to know a little more about our past.
This arc was provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Jenn Marshall · Rating 4 out of 5]

So many photos of artifacts. Really interesting stories and covers a ton of topics. I think I might include it in some of my classes just to show students some of the history.

4 stars

[Maegan Morin · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a beautiful book. I really enjoyed reading History of the World by Michael Kerrigan. The pictures were well thought out and well presented. It was a comprehensive easy to understand look back broken up into nice sized portions, never lingering too long on one subject or another. I really enjoyed the way the author presented history through the different cultures and parts of the world. Always explaining what was happening at a certain time in different places rather than focusing on one particular place.