Where are we at the turn of the millennium? How did the world come to be as it is, and what do the stories of our past and present suggest about our future? This ambitious book surveys the 20,000 years from the end of the last Ice Age to 7,000 AD. It is part history, part current events, and part science fiction. In contrast to the mood of millennial pessimism we take an optimistic view of human history. What is truly important about our age only becomes apparent when we see the present both as a product of the past and as the maker of the future. We argue that the human story, with all of its ups and downs, is basically one of progress, and that our time is a major turning point in this epic tale. We take issue with those who say we are seeing the "decline of the West" or a looming "clash of civilisations." Too many millennial authors ignore evidence from the broader sweep of human history. If we are to got a clear view of where we are today, then we need the whole human story -- the last century or even the last millennium will not do.