An unprecedented undertaking by academics reflecting an extraordinary vision of world history, this landmark multivolume encyclopedia focuses on specific themes of human development across cultures era by era, providing the most in-depth, expansive presentation available of the development of humanity from a global perspective. Well-known and widely respected historians worked together to create and guide the project in order to offer the most up-to-date visions available.

A monumental undertaking. A stunning academic achievement. ABC-CLIO's World History Encyclopedia is the first comprehensive work to take a large-scale thematic look at the human species worldwide. Comprised of 21 volumes covering 9 eras, an introductory volume, and an index, it charts the extraordinary journey of humankind, revealing crucial connections among civilizations in different regions through the ages.

Within each era, the encyclopedia highlights pivotal interactions and exchanges among cultures within eight broad thematic categories: population and environment, society and culture, migration and travel, politics and statecraft, economics and trade, conflict and cooperation, thought and religion, science and technology. Aligned to national history standards and packed with images, primary resources, current citations, and extensive teaching and learning support, the World History Encyclopedia gives students, educators, researchers, and interested general readers a means of navigating the broad sweep of history unlike any ever published.

Alfred J. Andrea, PhD, is professor emeritus of world history at the University of Vermont, Burlington, VT. His published works include Contemporary Sources for the Fourth Crusade and The Human Record: Sources of Global History.

Carolyn Neel, PhD, is project editor for ABC-CLIO and teaches web courses for Arkansas Tech University, Russellville, AR.

Mark Aldenderfer, PhD, is dean, School of Social Sciences, Humanities and Arts at the University of California, Merced, CA.

Wilfred J. Bisson, PhD, is professor emeritus, Keene State College, Keene, NH.

D. Harland Hagler, PhD, is associate professor and assistant chair of the History Department at the University of North Texas, Denton, TX.

Kevin M. McGeough, PhD, is assistant professor of archaeology at the University of Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada.

William E. Mierse, PhD, is professor of art history and classics at the University of Vermont, Burlington, VT.

Alexander Mikaberidze, PhD, is assistant professor of European history in the department of history and social sciences, Louisiana State University in Shreveport, LA.

Dane A. Morrison, PhD, is professor of early American history and former chair of the Department of History at Salem State College in Salem, MA.

Fred Nadis, PhD, is project editor for ABC-CLIO. His published works include Wonder Shows: Performing Science, Magic, and Religion in America as well as articles and essays in numerous publications, including the Atlantic Monthly.

James H. Overfield, PhD, is professor emeritus of history and past chair of the Department of History at the University of Vermont in Burlington, VT.

H. Micheal Tarver, PhD, is dean, College of Arts and Humanities at Arkansas Tech University in Russellville, AR, and a member of the Grupo de Analisis Socio-Politico de Venezuela at the Universidad de Los Andes in Merida, Venezuela.

Jack Waskey, PhD, is professor of social science in the Department of Social Science, Dalton State College, Dalton, GA.