The First 2000 Years traces the historical and cultural landscape from the birth of Christ to the close of the second millennium. Through didactic verse, John Carey navigates the passage of time, highlighting significant events and figures from a religious and cultural viewpoint. The narrative is structured into forty verses, each encapsulating fifty-year increments of history, presenting a unique poetic chronicle of human civilization.

The book is presented as a readable and didactic exploration of history through verse. The author's approach highlights key historical figures and cultural developments within structured poetic segments. The work aims to encapsulate two millennia of history in a spirited and accessible manner, offering a unique perspective on the progression of civilization.