This atlas of moden world history deals with the most significant topics of the period, from the emergence of the European nations and the colonization of the world in the later 19th century to the conflict in Afghanistan and the Gulf War of the 1980s. Arranged in units of two pages, each world region is covered in each of five time periods: pre-1917, World War I, inter-war period and post-1945. The book uses a standard set of base maps to facilitate easy comparison of maps, with an easy-to-use cross-referencing system. It shows the development of empires, changing boundaries, factors at work and locations of particular sites. Colourful and stimulating graphics portray the statistical back-up to the map and text detail and contemporary cartoons and carefully chosen photographs provide authentic evidence.