Only slightly smaller in size than the United States, Brazil is the fifth largest country in the world. It is home to exotic Rio de Janeiro, the mighty Amazon River, the world-renowned Carnival, and of course, its shrinking rainforests. A Brief History of Brazil offers a concise yet comprehensive account of the rich and varied history of Brazil, placing the political, economic, and cultural events of today into broad historical context. The book opens with an overview of pre-colonial Brazil and goes on to examine the history of Portuguese exploration, through the early years of the slave trade between Africa and the Americas, and the creation of the largest slaveholding society in the modern world.

Explores the history and culture of Afghanistan from prehistoric times through its current events, covering the political, cultural, and economic changes the country has undergone over the years.

"A Brief History of Central America, Second Edition" explores the history of the Central American isthmus from the pre-Columbian cultures to the contemporary nations that make up the region today: Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Panama. This second edition brings the history of the region up to date with new developments, including recent elections, the continued struggle with the aftermath of the civil wars, and the impact of the free trade agreement signed with the United States in 2003/2004.

Ancient Egypt was one of the longest-lasting civilizations the world has ever known. While most readers will be familiar with at least parts of ancient Egyptian history, contemporary Egypt and its connections to the ancient civilization are not always well understood. "A Brief History of Egypt" explores Egypt's broad political, economic, social, and cultural developments, from the mighty civilization of the past to the diverse cultural and political landscape of today, covering almost 6,000 years of history in a clear and concise manner.

From the rise of the first civilizations of North America and continuing through the cataclysm of the Spanish conquest and the explosive revolution of Emiliano Zapata and Pancho Villa to the intensely contested presidential election of 2006, Mexico has had a vibrant and dynamic history. "A Brief History of Mexico, Updated Edition" gives expansive coverage to Mexico's pre-Columbian civilizations as well as contemporary indigenous cultures. This book also brings readers up to date on recent developments in Mexico and helps them understand the deeper significance of these...