Hmm, if the above isn’t correct, can you give us more info? In particular, when did you read this book? I know you mention that it was very old, but without a reference we’re flying a bit blind here–I mean, if you’re, like, 20 now, “very old” could mean 1950.
Do you remember if this book followed a single set of (presumably fictionalized) characters or just different ones in the different settings? Was it aimed at children?
Your description sounds very much like the “Story of the World” series, except for the physical properties of the books. I’m including the link anyway, just in case you’re conflating two different books.
I read it when I was a “tween” between 10-12 years old at the turn of the millenium. "very old’ very well could mean 1950. It was different pseudo-fictionalized characters except the characters were very “real”. It flowed from one to another.
It started with Menes (pretty sure) in the swamps and was favored by the pharaoh because he found onions and subsequently garlic. Then it gave way to Menes uniting the upper and lower kingdoms and uniting the eagle/buzzard and the snake in a vision? Then in uniting it, he hired Imhotep to build a monument. Then the narrative flowed to Imhotep. Then to Minos of Crete who went to Spain and discovered Bronze by buying a block of “worthless tin”. And then subsequently to Phoenicia where some random sailor invented the alphabet.
… ::sigh::
It was almost entirely narrative driven and taught history in a fictionalized narrative account of historical characters? Sorry. If I can remember more, I’ll relay it. Like I said, this one is a toughy. Thanks for the efforts so far though, guys. I don’t think I’ve found it yet though.
