Christopher Lloyd began his career as a journalist with the Sunday Times newspaper. Then, one day, he had a realisation: even with a 1st class degree in history from Cambridge University and experience as a science writer, there was so much about the world he didn’t know. So, he set out to write a book that showed how seemingly unrelated events fit together. After his adult world history book What on Earth Happened? sold 500,000 copies around the world, Chris set out to tell the story to children. Absolutely Everything is the result. Chris lives in Tonbridge, Kent, with his wife and two adorable terriers.Andy Forshaw graduated in graphic design and illustration from London’s Central Saint Martin’s College and has worked on numerous online and publishing projects. Since 2010, Andy has created more than 5,000 illustrations for children’s books. When not illustrating, Andy can be found exploring the countryside on his bike. He lives in London with his partner and daughter.

• Foreword Chapter 1Nothing to Something13.8 billion–450 million years agoThe beginning of the universe, life and everything Chapter 2Land Ahoy480 million–252 million years agoCreatures wriggle out of the seas and forests cover the land Chapter 3Dinosaurs to Apes252 million–6 million years agoTerrible lizards and what comes after Chapter 4Hands Free5 million–12,000 years agoWalking apes to migrating humans Chapter 5Seeds of Change38,000 BCE to 2000 BCEFarming, writing and trade Chapter 6Cities and Civilizations Everywhere3300 BCE to 1200 BCEComplex societies emerge around the world Chapter 7The Rise of Religions30,000 years ago to 100 CESpiritual life blooms Chapter 8New Ideas Abound1400 BCE to 200 BCEDemocracy, Science, and Philosophy Chapter 9Christianity and Islam Make their Mark30–1000 CECultures collide and fuse, building the world we know today Chapter 10Ingenuity800–1280 CEInventions, Climate and the Struggle for Power Chapter 11The Global Middle Ages1220–1521Rich cultures around the world Chapter 12Colonialism takes off1415–1621One person’s miracle is another’s disaster Chapter 13Revolutions All Around1543–1905Science, Freedom and Robots Chapter 14World at War1845–1945When everyone was fighting everyone else Chapter 15Marching Towards the Millennium1945–2000The Cold War, Human Rights, and the Dawn of the Digital Age Chapter 16To Be Continued…2000–the presentPlastics, viruses and finding our way to a bright future

"This version has been updated with the latest research, as well as with events that have occurred since the first edition and awesome new photographs."

Christopher Lloyd began his career as a journalist with the Sunday Times newspaper. Then, one day, he had a realisation: even with a 1st class degree in history from Cambridge University and experience as a science writer, there was so much about the world he didn’t know. So, he set out to write a book that showed how seemingly unrelated events fit together. After his adult world history book What on Earth Happened? sold 500,000 copies around the world, Chris set out to tell the story to children. Absolutely Everything is the result. Chris lives in Tonbridge, Kent, with his wife and two adorable terriers.Andy Forshaw graduated in graphic design and illustration from London’s Central Saint Martin’s College and has worked on numerous online and publishing projects. Since 2010, Andy has created more than 5,000 illustrations for children’s books. When not illustrating, Andy can be found exploring the countryside on his bike. He lives in London with his partner and daughter.

• Foreword Chapter 1Nothing to Something13.8 billion–450 million years agoThe beginning of the universe, life and everything Chapter 2Land Ahoy480 million–252 million years agoCreatures wriggle out of the seas and forests cover the land Chapter 3Dinosaurs to Apes252 million–6 million years agoTerrible lizards and what comes after Chapter 4Hands Free5 million–12,000 years agoWalking apes to migrating humans Chapter 5Seeds of Change38,000 BCE to 2000 BCEFarming, writing and trade Chapter 6Cities and Civilizations Everywhere3300 BCE to 1200 BCEComplex societies emerge around the world Chapter 7The Rise of Religions30,000 years ago to 100 CESpiritual life blooms Chapter 8New Ideas Abound1400 BCE to 200 BCEDemocracy, Science, and Philosophy Chapter 9Christianity and Islam Make their Mark30–1000 CECultures collide and fuse, building the world we know today Chapter 10Ingenuity800–1280 CEInventions, Climate and the Struggle for Power Chapter 11The Global Middle Ages1220–1521Rich cultures around the world Chapter 12Colonialism takes off1415–1621One person’s miracle is another’s disaster Chapter 13Revolutions All Around1543–1905Science, Freedom and Robots Chapter 14World at War1845–1945When everyone was fighting everyone else Chapter 15Marching Towards the Millennium1945–2000The Cold War, Human Rights, and the Dawn of the Digital Age Chapter 16To Be Continued…2000–the presentPlastics, viruses and finding our way to a bright future

"This version has been updated with the latest research, as well as with events that have occurred since the first edition and awesome new photographs."

Christopher Lloyd began his career as a journalist with the Sunday Times newspaper. Then, one day, he had a realisation: even with a 1st class degree in history from Cambridge University and experience as a science writer, there was so much about the world he didn’t know. So, he set out to write a book that showed how seemingly unrelated events fit together. After his adult world history book What on Earth Happened? sold 500,000 copies around the world, Chris set out to tell the story to children. Absolutely Everything is the result. Chris lives in Tonbridge, Kent, with his wife and two adorable terriers.Andy Forshaw graduated in graphic design and illustration from London’s Central Saint Martin’s College and has worked on numerous online and publishing projects. Since 2010, Andy has created more than 5,000 illustrations for children’s books. When not illustrating, Andy can be found exploring the countryside on his bike. He lives in London with his partner and daughter.

• Foreword Chapter 1Nothing to Something13.8 billion–450 million years agoThe beginning of the universe, life and everything Chapter 2Land Ahoy480 million–252 million years agoCreatures wriggle out of the seas and forests cover the land Chapter 3Dinosaurs to Apes252 million–6 million years agoTerrible lizards and what comes after Chapter 4Hands Free5 million–12,000 years agoWalking apes to migrating humans Chapter 5Seeds of Change38,000 BCE to 2000 BCEFarming, writing and trade Chapter 6Cities and Civilizations Everywhere3300 BCE to 1200 BCEComplex societies emerge around the world Chapter 7The Rise of Religions30,000 years ago to 100 CESpiritual life blooms Chapter 8New Ideas Abound1400 BCE to 200 BCEDemocracy, Science, and Philosophy Chapter 9Christianity and Islam Make their Mark30–1000 CECultures collide and fuse, building the world we know today Chapter 10Ingenuity800–1280 CEInventions, Climate and the Struggle for Power Chapter 11The Global Middle Ages1220–1521Rich cultures around the world Chapter 12Colonialism takes off1415–1621One person’s miracle is another’s disaster Chapter 13Revolutions All Around1543–1905Science, Freedom and Robots Chapter 14World at War1845–1945When everyone was fighting everyone else Chapter 15Marching Towards the Millennium1945–2000The Cold War, Human Rights, and the Dawn of the Digital Age Chapter 16To Be Continued…2000–the presentPlastics, viruses and finding our way to a bright future

"This version has been updated with the latest research, as well as with events that have occurred since the first edition and awesome new photographs."