Introduction 1

Part1: Getting into History 5

Chapter 1: Tracing a Path to the Present 7

Chapter 2: Digging Up Reality 19

Chapter 3: Putting History into Perspective 29


Part2: Finding Strength in Numbers 41

Chapter 4: Getting Civilized 43

Chapter 5: Rising and Falling Empires 61

Chapter 6: Splitting Eras: The Middle Ages 77

Chapter 7: Struggling for Dominance 93

Chapter 8: Grabbing the Globe 113

Chapter 9: Pulling Empires Together as Subjects Push Back 135


Part3: Seeking Answers 161

Chapter 10: Worshipping through the Ages 163

Chapter 11: Loving Wisdom: Philosophy’s Impact 185

Chapter 12: Being Christian, Thinking Greek 201

Chapter 13: Awakening to the Renaissance 211

Chapter 14: Breaking Away: The Reformation 229

Chapter 15: Opening Up to Science and Enlightenment 251


Part4: Fighting, Fighting, Fighting 267

Chapter 16: Wielding Sticks and Stones: Old-Fashioned War 269

Chapter 17: Upgrading the War Machine 283

Chapter 18: Modernizing Mayhem 297


Part5: Meeting the Movers and Shakers 313

Chapter 19: Starting Something Legendary 315

Chapter 20: Battling Toward Immortality 329

Chapter 21: Exploring and “Discovering” 343

Chapter 22: Turning Tables: Rebels and Revolutionaries 357


Part6: The Part of Tens 373

Chapter 23: Ten Unforgettable Dates in History 375

Chapter 24: Ten Essential Historical Documents 383

Index 393