This is a fabulous new look at the ancient world focusing not on one single aspect of the era but on the connections between the Mediterranean, the Middle East, Central Asia, India and China, and i have to say that i was very pleasantly surprised by the amount of new and novel stories that he has found to tell. With a focus on upheaval and change here is Hannibal, Xerxes, Ashoka, Confucius, China's first emperor, Qin Shi Huangdi, Alexander the Great and others presented with a fresh outlook and a fresh perspective and it is thoroughly enjoyable. Michael Scott is about as authoritative a historian as you can get, with a selection of tv documentaries behind him and a well established place in both academia and popular history writing. He also has a wonderfully lyrical style of writing that makes for a very enjoyable read.

Visually, this is a stunning book. However, the content is truly fascinating. I'll admit now that I really had no idea how much of a part Asia had played in the making of the world as we know it today. I find new information within this book, every time I pick it up and I am still not quite finished. I have become one of those annoying people that says "In my book it says...."; but seriously this is fascinating!!