801 things you should know : from Greek philosophy to today's technology, the theories, events, discoveries, trends, and movements that matter

Discover how the world's biggest ideas, inventions, and actions changed the course of history! What would life be like if the Age of Reason never challenged others to think differently, if the Industrial Revolution never happened, or if the New York Stock Exchange never came into existence? __801 Things You Should Know__ gives you the lowdown on thoughts and events that transformed past civilizations into the cultures that we know today. Each entry explains a game-changing concept or moment in time, detailing how it helped shape societies around the globe. You'll uncover fascinating details you'd never heard before, and be surprised to learn how these major influences have directly impacted the way you live. From the sixth century B.C. to the present day, you'll discover the captivating people, acts, and ideas that have inspired change--and revolutionized the world. "801 Things You Should Know gives you the lowdown on thoughts and events that transformed past civilizations into the cultures that we know today. Each entry explains a game-changing concept or moment in time, detailing how it helped shape societies around the globe. You'll uncover fascinating details you'd never heard before, and be surprised to learn how these major influences have directly impacted the way you live"--P. [4] of cover. "801 Things You Should Know gives you the lowdown on thoughts and events that transformed past civilizations into the cultures that we know today. Each entry explains a game-changing concept or moment in time, detailing how it helped shape societies around the globe. You'll uncover fascinating details you'd never heard before, and be surprised to learn how these major influences have directly impacted the way you live"--Page 4 of cover In our increasingly complex world, we're constantly bombarded with -isms and events, whether historical or current. Somehow we're expected to keep track of all of these ideas. David Olsen, author of The Words You Should Know, provides a handy, easy-to-skim guide to the most important concepts and events that created our era. Things you should know about: Philosophy History Business & economics Art & literature People & culture Politics Science & technology Social sciences.