Title: What Happened When in the World
Publisher: Dorling Kindersley
Date of Publication: 2015
Format: Hardback
Source: My own copy
The
cover says “history as you've never seen it before!” So it has a
lot to live up to and it does. This book uses maps to illustrate
history though the ages. Each double page spread features a different
map to demonstrate the impact of events through time, starting with
the Ice Age and ending with the rise of China as a trading nation. As
we have come to expect from DK the information is presented in short
paragraphs with colourful illustrations and photographs. Most pages
include a quote from someone involved at the time, thus bringing the
history to life. The pages are jammed with facts and dates, but are
easy to read and will keep most readers engrossed.
There
are pages about all the usual periods in history along with others
that will make you think, such as the spread on slavery which shows
that there were more slaves transported to South America to work in
gold and diamond mines than anywhere else. It really brings home what
a terrible trade this was, showing the slaves going to the Americas,
the essential products being shipped to Europe and guns, rum and beer
amongst the products sent to Africa in exchange for people.
Using
maps as a device to illustrate history really brings it to life and
makes it a lot easier to understand at times. Children will be able
to learn a lot about their history through this book and it will
really make them think about the impact of their forefathers'
actions. It is the sort of book that you will pick up for a few
minutes and still be reading an hour later.
