Tourists know Amsterdam as a picturesque city of low-slung brick houses lining tidy canals; student travelers know it for its legal brothels and hash bars; art lovers know it for Rembrandt's glorious portraits. But the deeper history of Amsterdam, what makes it one of the most fascinating places on earth, is bound up in its unique geography--the constant battle of its citizens to keep the sea at bay--and the democratic philosophy that this enduring...

A humorous look at the ages of man. Includes eras through the French Revolution.

Text, maps, and illustrations present the history of the world from ancient times to the present day. Includes a chronology of important dates, a glossary, and reference tables.