The world-famous reference that tells who did what when from 4500 BC to the present day--now updated for the 21st century. "A unique, encyclopedic book--rewarding, informative, entertaining." -- The Wall Street Journal A vast and absorbing resource, the fourth edition of The Timetables of (tm)History spans millennia of human history. Unlike any other reference volume, this book gives a sweeping overview of the making of the contemporary world by mapping out at a glance what was happening simultaneously, from the dawn of history to the present day. With nearly 100 pages of new material, including: -Recent breakthroughs in science and technology -New achievements in the visual arts and music -Milestones in religion, philosophy, and learning -The rise and fall of nations and the emergence of historical figures -Landmarks in the drama of daily life around the world