An indispensable reference for every home, library, or office, "The Knowledge Book" distills thousands of years of humankind's most significant ideas and achievements, explains how they are linked and why they are important, and packs it all into a single impressive volume. Inside these vibrantly written and richly illustrated pages, readers will find essential information gleaned from all major fields of knowledge, including the arts, physical and life sciences, technology, philosophy, religion, culture, economics, and more. Loaded with cross-referencing, fact boxes, and sidebars, the book is organized into five major sections : Earth and Space; Mathematics and the Sciences; Politics and Economics; Religion, Philosophy, and Psychology;and The Arts.A two- to six-page introductory spread begins each section, and summarizes the most important ideas, discoveries, and movements concerning a given subject. Timelines and fact boxes at the top of the spreads help place the covered topic in context. In addition, there are technical sidebars that enchance the main text with interesting and relevant details on particular processes, inventions, and artistic techniques or movements. Famous personalities and events or issues of special significance are discussed in highlighted columns.Each section ends with an "In the 21st Century" feature that lists the major issues to be resolved in our day. This accessible and comprehensive approach is supported by color-coded cross-referencing and tabs that guide the reader through the book. The images function as a visual catalog of the major fields of essential knowledge - they have been selected not only to illustrate the text and to provide visual stimulation, but to document almost all the ideas a person in the 21st century would need to know to understand the contemporary world.