Amazon.com description: Product Description: The rise and fall of some of the worlds most powerful empires and dynasties are charted here in enthralling, action-packed detail. As major geopolitical entities, these empires drew together people from distinct backgrounds. The melding of these peoples led to significant advances in science and culture, sometimes through collaboration and sometimes through large-scale conflicts. Readers will learn that the philosophies, arts, and politics of these empires still shape our society today.