With more than 2,600 entries, all written by an expert in the field, the third edition of this authoritative dictionary provides in-depth coverage of major recent historical events, from 1900 to the present day. The book includes informative entries on every country in the world, with maps and historical summaries, and has biographical profiles of major historical figures, political and military leaders, and leading thinkers who influenced events. Readers will find information on international organizations, treaties, religious and political movements, as well as key incidents, places, and battles. The new edition has been fully revised and updated, and boasts a wealth of new material, including extended coverage of historical context in the country entries, new and expanded biographical entries on figures such as Angela Merkel and President Lula of Brazil, web links that can be accessed via a special companion website (regularly updated to ensure accurate information), and useful tables including lists of office-holders for countries and organizations and winners of the Nobel Peace Prize. In sum, this is a comprehensive reference work that will prove invaluable to a range of readers from students of history, politics, and international relations, to anyone with an interest in the modern world.