With this compendium, National Geographic has developed a book that's as packed with information as an encyclopedia but as much fun to read as a comic book. From chess to clocks, surgery to windmills, astronomy to running water and universities, this book brings to light the ways in which Muslim civilizations of the past laid the foundations for many of the modern conveniences we take for granted today. Many in the West assume that the greatest ideas have come from the Western world, but this book blows that misconception out of the water, and it also shows that the world is smaller than we think, with ideas and inventions moving from one part of the world to another throughout history. Each two-page spread bears a title such as "15 Head-Turning Fashion Facts," "50 Fresh Facts about Keeping Clean," or "50 Facts about Exploration" and is covered with interesting and often surprising facts organized in attractive boxes of different colors with spot illustrations throughout. A selection of further resources include interactive websites and a traveling exhibit. Fun for browsing or as a point of departure for deep exploration and research, this book has something for every interest. Readers interested in the value Muslim civilizations have added to our global village will be hard-pressed to find a more stimulating introduction than this one. (glossary, index) (Nonfiction. 8-16) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.