The Usborne Illustrated Atlas of the 20th Century

Miles and Ross give a coherent and interesting interpretation of the history of the twentieth century which has seen new nations and previously submerged classes and cultures muscling in on the world stage. When understanding of international and domestic conflict depends on knowing, for instance, the geographical situation of Israel, or how India and Ireland were partitioned, there can be no better way of explaining than with maps. However, in a slim book about world history, things sometimes shrink to the limits of perception. I know T E Lawrence was small; but a map of Japanese influence in Korea reduced, like him, to the size of a postage stamp, tells me little. For the most part, however, the clear prose is matched with well chosen photographs, and with maps that are easy to read. A glossary, and indexes to both text and maps make this a good introduction for secondary students.