The Dorling Kindersley book is divided into chapters based on themes: earth and space, the natural world, our world, and science and technology. Each chapter is divided into subsections. Each subsection is dedicated to a more specific topic. The subsections offer a two-page spread about each subject. For example, the American Civil War is divided into The Confederates, The Unionists, types of medical treatments and utensils used to help take care of the wounded, and a map depicting how the modern day United States would be divided if the Civil War were today.

I absolutely love the pictures that accompany the "story" being told. Not only do the pictures offer a "real life" view, but they offer a detailed account of what an operating room and day-to-day accommodations would be during the Civil War.

In the classroom, I would encourage students to use the book to search for a possible research topic that interests them. This is a great springboard for creating another level of interest in learning/research...not the boring black and white copy usually seen on research bookshelves.