Who was the first black queen? How much do you know about China’s history? Most people’s knowledge of world history is hazy and incomplete at best. This updated No-Nonsense Guide gives a full picture, revealing the hidden histories and communities left out of conventional textbooks — from the civilizations of Africa, Asia and Latin America to the history of women. This updated and revised edition of one of the best-selling No-Nonsense Guides includes a new chapter from the perspective of the end of the first decade of the 21st century and includes material on the financial crisis and the world response to climate change.

A perfect read for someone who wants to embrace the whole of history, rather than disconnected dynasties and events–all in one slim volume.

Chris Brazier's profile page

Chris Brazier has been co-editor at New Internationalist magazine since 1984. Previous publications include Vietnam: The Price of Peace and Raging Against the Machine (editor). He is also principal writer for UNICEF’s The State of the World’s Children report.

The No-Nonsense Guide to World History is vivid, informal and informative. Perhaps every professional historian should be required to write a history of the world in forty thousand words–nothing would be more conducive to humility.

Professor William Beinart, St. Antony’s College, Oxford, UK