What is the biggest story ever told? It is the story of everything — of the universe itself, from its first moment of existence to the complex, interconnected world we inhabit today. Big History: From the Big Bang to the Modern World tells this extraordinary story in a single, accessible volume. Beginning 13.8 billion years ago with the Big Bang, it traces the journey from the first particles and atoms to the formation of stars and galaxies; from the birth of our solar system to the origin of life on Earth; from the first microbes to the evolution of human consciousness; from prehistoric hunter-gatherers to the agricultural and industrial revolutions; and from the modern world of technology and globalisation to the challenges and possibilities of the twenty-first century. Written for a global audience in clear, engaging prose, this book combines the insights of cosmology, astrophysics, geology, biology, anthropology, history, and science into a single unified narrative. Each chapter opens with a vivid story, explains the science and history clearly, and closes with a reflection that connects the distant past to the present moment. Unlike textbooks, this book is written to be read — with curiosity, wonder, and the conviction that understanding where we came from is one of the most important things any human being can do. Features include: 30 main chapters spanning the full sweep of Big History; supplementary deep-dive chapters on physics, biology, and civilisation; a comprehensive glossary of 50+ scientific and historical terms; a master timeline from the Big Bang to today; a bibliography of recommended reading; and study questions for each part of the book. If you have ever wondered where the atoms in your body came from, why humans are so different from other animals, or what the universe might look like in a trillion years — this book is for you.
