Good books to read on world history?

[CynicalIdealist]

I'd like a rough book on "how the world came to be." The less bourgeois bias the better, but I guess I can cope with that as well.

And in general, where should I go from there if I want a clear, vivid picture of the world?

[La Comédie Noire]

A People's History of the World by Chris Harman. Really it's just what you were looking for.

http://www.amazon.com/Peoples-History-World-Stone-Millennium/dp/1844672387

After That, I'd pick a few subjects that really interest you and build a bibliography from there.

[CynicalIdealist]

I actually tried reading it, and had some trouble given my lack of context for the world events that he was describing. I had a much easier time reading Zinn's People's History of the United States.

I guess I'm just looking for a straightforward synopsis as opposed to an attempt to define class forces, which seems more or less what Harman was trying to do with his People's History book.

[Rocky Rococo]

How far back do you want to go? Do you want to know what the rise of the Himalayas in Asia had to do with the evolution of hominids in Africa? Then I recommend Colin Tudge's The Time Before History. It's also very provocatively suggestive of wht would happen if humanity managed to completely wipe ourselves out along with the entire "suites" of animals we have and are eliminating.

[La Comédie Noire]

Have you considered getting your hands on some World History Textbooks?