Andrew Marr's History of the World

This review of human history begins by recalling humanity's nomadic ancestors as they spread around the world and settled down to become the first farmers and townspeople.

Examining how the foundations of the modern world were laid by the first great empires, such as the Assyrians and Alexander the Great.

Charting the spiritual revolutions that shook the world between 300 BC and 700 AD, such as Ashoka's turn to Buddhism and the rise of Christianity and Islam.

Recalling the importance of Viking exploration and the rise of Islam in the centuries after the fall of the Roman Empire and before Europe emerged from the Dark Ages into the Renaissance.

The rise of European capitalism is chronicled, from an age of piracy that began in the aftermath of Columbus' discovery of America to the creation of limited companies and stock exchanges by British and Dutch businessmen.

Political uprisings of the 17th and 18th centuries are recalled, including the French and American revolutions. Also, the impact of the Scientific Revolution, which changed how humans saw themselves in the universe.

A look back at the sweeping impact of the Industrial Revolution, which upended the old agricultural order around much of the world and led to bitter conflicts between modernizers and those who rejected the new way of life.

This look at recent history documents World War I and II, rapid advances in technology, improvements in quality of life for many around the world and the dangers posed to humanity by mismanagement of the Earth's natural resources.