Includes bibliographical references (pages 325-340) and index.

Part I: Cosmos. In the beginning: Threshold 1 ; Stars and galaxies: Thresholds 2 and 3 ; Molecules and moons: Threshold 4 -- Part II: Biosphere. Life: Threshold 5 ; Little life and the biosphere ; Big life and the biosphere -- Part III: Us. Humans: Threshold 6 ; Farming: Threshold 7 ; Agrarian civilizations ; On the verge of today's world ; The Anthropocene: Threshold 8 -- Part IV: The future. Where is it all going?

"Most historians study the smallest slivers of time, emphasizing specific dates, individuals, and documents. But what would it look like to study the whole of history, from the big bang through the present day--and even into the remote future? How would looking at the full span of time change the way we perceive the universe, the earth, and our very existence? These were the questions David Christian set out to answer when he began to explore the idea of "Big History," the most exciting new approach to understanding where we have been, where we are, and where we are going. In Origin Story, Christian takes readers on a wild ride through the entire 13.8 billion years we've come to know as "history." By focusing on defining events (thresholds), major trends, and profound questions about our origins, Christian exposes the hidden threads that tie everything together--from the creation of the planet to the advent of agriculture, nuclear war, and beyond. With stunning insights into the origin of the universe, the beginning of life, the emergence of humans, and what the future might bring, Origin Story boldly reframes our place in the cosmos."-- Jacket.