I admit I skimmed a lot of this book. It is, after all, 700 pages long. But I read many of the entries and if I had more time and/or I was planning a trip to London to see the British Museum, I would certainly delve deeper because the writing is lively and engaging and the objects he chose to write about interesting. Written by the director of the British Museum, he picked 100 items from the museum that he felt gave the best insight into progress and change in human history. And then he spoke to experts in the field where appropriate to add their perspective. This book must've been a massive undertaking. I might have to buy my own copy.