"The Encyclopedia of World Facts and Dates brings together, in one comprehensive volume, more than 50,000 facts, dates, and events that have shaped our world, from the Big Bang right up through today's headlines." "Compiled by Gorton Carruth, whose The Encyclopedia of American Facts and Dates has been a standard reference in American history for more than thirty years, this encyclopedia brings the same level of authority and thoroughness to world history. As such, it covers everything from natural and man-made disasters, discoveries, and wars to women's rights, medical breakthroughs, the arts, and sports." "Because of the enormous breadth of the book, it is separated into time spans and within each time span divided into nine different subject areas: Vital Statistics and Demographics; Disasters; Exploration and Colonization; Politics and War; Economy and Trade; Religion and Philosophy; Science, Education, and Technology; Arts and Leisure; and Sports, Games, and Society." "In addition, the book includes a superbly detailed and fully cross-referenced index so that it provides the usefulness of an alphabetical work with the advantages of a chronological encyclopedia." "Containing a wealth of information, the encyclopedia presents, in short, all the details of life on earth since the beginning of time. Most important, it gives you not only the facts, it also provides the important background information needed to place those facts in perspective. The Encyclopedia of World Facts and Dates is a book you will turn to again and again."--Jacket.