This single-volume history is a condensation of my three-volume history of the twentieth century, Empires in Conflict (spanning the years 1900–1933, and published in 1997); Descent into Barbarism (1933–1951, published in 1998) and Challenge to Civilization (1952–1999, published in 1999). In all, the three volumes amounted to 2,700 pages of text. In reducing this to 800 pages I have tried to be faithful to my original portrayal and perspective. Each volume contains its own acknowledgements, bibliography, maps and itemized index, which readers of this volume may wish to consult.
