Meet the author

Frank Lodge, who teaches in  New Jersey high school, has been developing this software since 1985.  Mr. Lodge explains some of the choices that make this atlas unique:

The atlas has two parts--map animations that show change over time and country histories that explain important events.

We wanted to help students see the 'big picture' of world history. So we focused on 'the rise and fall of kingdoms, not the lives and deaths of kings.'

We show where and when new ideas and inventions started by including 'worldwide firsts' in our country histories.  

Some peoples moved across continents. Others settled in one place, built cities and established borders. We highlighted mobile societies by representing them using circles, not borders.

We simplified and reduced the number of country histories by grouping countries together if their people spoke closely related languages.

We hope our decisions help you enjoy the atlas.
Frank Lodge.
 

What many world history teachers recommend

Study the entire world.  Not long ago, high school and college history courses focused on Europe and Western Civilization.  Now, many teachers emphasize global history and spend only about one third of their class time on European events. Our software focuses on all of Europe, Africa, and Asia and provides a global perspective.

Emphasize recent history.  Many world history teachers spend most of their course on recent events.  Some recommend spending about 15% of a world history course on events before the year 1000.  The quick 'big picture' focus of our atlas helps when time is short.

Look for global patterns.  Spend less time learning names and dates.  Spend more time understanding how developments like empire building, the major religions, disease, and technology have changed the destinies of nations. 

Understand continuity and change.  Many history teachers no longer focus on individual countries.  Instead, they explain events occurring worldwide during several hundred year long periods.  The event summaries that 'pop-up' when you click country names will help you compare activities happening in different places during the same time period.

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