This book sets forth the historical lines from primitive society, through slave society, feudal society and capitalist society, to socialist society, and from Stone Age to information era with brief words and colorful images, and also clarifies the evolution from the relative isolation to close connection between countries in different parts in the world. This book strives to present scientifically the development processes and interrelations of all parts of the world based on plentiful data and objective materials and reveal the contributions on the human civilization process from all civilizations and the glorious way to the human community with a shared future.

Zhang Shunhong is a research fellow of World History, especially British History, at Institute of Historical Theory, Chinese Academy of History in Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, and published many articles and monographs, including British Views on China: At the Dawn of the 19th Century.

Guo Zilin is a research fellow of World History, especially Ancient Egyptian History, at Chinese Academy of History in Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, and published many articles and monographs, including Despotism of Ptolemaic Dynasty of Ancient Egypt.