Maps of Time: An Introduction to Big History (California World History Library Book 2)

An introduction to a new way of looking at history, from a perspective that stretches from the beginning of time to the present day, Maps of Time is world history on an unprecedented scale. Beginning with the Big Bang, David Christian views the interaction of the natural world with the more recent arrivals in flora and fauna, including human beings. Cosmology, geology, archeology, and population and environmental studies—all figure in David Christian's account, which is an ambitious overview of the emerging field of "Big History." Maps of Time opens with the origins of the universe, the stars and the galaxies, the sun and the solar system, including the earth, and conducts readers through the evolution of the planet before human habitation. It surveys the development of human society from the Paleolithic era through the transition to agriculture, the emergence of cities and states, and the birth of the modern, industrial period right up to intimations of possible futures. Sweeping in scope, finely focused in its minute detail, this riveting account of the known world, from the inception of space-time to the prospects of global warming, lays the groundwork for world history—and Big History—true as never before to its name.

An introduction to a new way of looking at history, from a perspective that stretches from the beginning of time to the present day, Maps of Time is world history on an unprecedented scale. Beginning with the Big Bang, David Christian views the interaction of the natural world with the more recent arrivals in flora and fauna, including human beings.
Cosmology, geology, archeology, and population and environmental studies—all figure in David Christian's account, which is an ambitious overview of the emerging field of "Big History." Maps of Time opens with the origins of the universe, the stars and the galaxies, the sun and the solar system, including the earth, and conducts readers through the evolution of the planet before human habitation. It surveys the development of human society from the Paleolithic era through the transition to agriculture, the emergence of cities and states, and the birth of the modern, industrial period right up to intimations of possible futures. Sweeping in scope, finely focused in its minute detail, this riveting account of the known world, from the inception of space-time to the prospects of global warming, lays the groundwork for world history—and Big History—true as never before to its name.

An introduction to a new way of looking at history, from a perspective that stretches from the beginning of time to the twenty-first century, this book is world history on an unprecedented scale. Beginning with the Big Bang, the author views the interaction of the natural world with the more recent arrivals in flora and fauna, including human beings. Cosmology, geology, archeology, and population and environmental studies - all figure in this account, which is an ambitious overview of the emerging field of "Big History." The book opens with the origins of the universe, the stars and the galaxies, the sun and the solar system, including the earth, and conducts readers through the evolution of the planet before human habitation. It surveys the development of human society from the Paleolithic era through the transition to agriculture, the emergence of cities and states, and the birth of the modern, industrial period right up to intimations of possible futures. Sweeping in scope, finely focused in its minute detail, this account of the known world, from the inception of space-time to the prospects of global warming, lays the groundwork for world history - and Big History - true as never before to its name. -- Publisher's description pt. 1: The inanimate universe. The first 300,000 years : origins of the universe, time, and space Origins of the galaxies and stars : the beginnings of complexity Origins and history of the Earth pt. 2: Life on Earth. The origins of life and the theory of evolution The evolution of life and the biosphere pt. 3: Early human history : many worlds. The evolution of humans The beginnings of human history pt. 4: The Holocene : few worlds. Intensification and the origins of agriculture From power over nature to power over people : cities, states, and "civilizations" Long trends in the era of agrarian "civilizations" pt. 5: The modern era : one world. Approaching modernity Globalization, commercialization, and innovation Birth of the modern world The great acceleration of the twentieth century pt. 6: Perspectives on the future. Futures Appendix 1: Dating techniques, chronologies, and timelines Appendix 2: Chaos and order. Content: Introduction: A Modern Creation Myth? 1. The First 300,000 Years: Origins of the Universe, Time, and Space 2. Origins of the Galaxies and Stars: The Beginnings of Complexity 3. Origins and History of the Earth 4. The Origins of Life and the Theory of Evolution 5. The Evolution of Life and the Biosphere 6. The Evolution of Humans 7. The Beginnings of Human History 8. Intensification and the Origins of Agriculture 9. From Power over Nature to Power over People: Cities, States, and Civilizations 10. Long Trends in the Era of Agrarian Civilizations 11. Approaching Modernity 12. Globalization, Commercialization, and Innovation 13. Birth of the Modern World 14. The Great Acceleration of the Twentieth Century 15. Futures Introducing a novel perspective on the study of history, David Christian views the interaction of the natural world with the more recent arrivals in flora & fauna, including human beings