Description:
At the dawn of the 20th century, a man named L. Frank Baum had just written a story about a magical land called Oz, and the Wright brothers had made the first powered flight. On the eve of the 21st century, the world is connected via the Internet, and the Spice Girls mingle with Nelson Mandela. In the intervening years the world has undergone countless dramatic changes and discoveries. Written with children in mind, this unusual, compelling volume fills in as many of the gaps as possible, revealing in journalistic articles the events that altered the course of history. Headlines from "Australia Gains Its Independence" to "Prague Is Invaded" to "King Dies, but Dream Lives On" add a sense of immediacy to past events. This comprehensive historical resource uses photos, time line panels, and special features (the Russian Revolution, the Roaring Twenties, the Great Depression, the Space Race, etc.) to unfold, year by year, the century's triumphs and defeats. In caption-style quotations interwoven throughout, children reveal their hopes for the future and memories of the past. Beautifully designed and thoroughly researched, this big history book is a far cry from the textbooks of elementary school. Granted, it doesn't delve deeply into any one subject, but it touches thoughtfully on thousands of important topics, giving a sweeping overview of the 20th century's events, people, places, trends, and inventions. With more than 3,500 photographs and lively, dramatic writing, this addictive book truly brings history to life. (Ages 9 and older) --Emilie Coulter
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