The innovative formatwith timelines, sidebars, and self-contained interactive spreadsgives readers a variety of entry points depending on their interest level. The editors of the Essential series have enhanced this book's resource value by including such elements as numbered picture references that match each image with its historical era as discussed in the text, and cross references to related topics at the bottom of the page. Conveniently sized yet large in scope, National Geographic Essential Visual History of World Mythology an irresistible treasure to own and to give.