I’m looking for a good book with timelines, showing major events and people in world history. It does not need to be compact; a large book would do fine. Ideally, it would make sense to a 9-year old, with minimal adult explanation.
I found some on Amazon. One was called Smithsonian Timelines of the Ancient World the other three were all called Timelines of World History here, here and here.
I wondered if anyone here has read any of these or has some alternatives to recommend.
I think yours is better, but the one I just coincidentally happened to buy before reading your post is http://www.alibris.com/search/search.cfm?w…aroline%20Lucas Atlas of World History [Geddes & Grosset as publishers] It deals with events than singled out people. It deals with people as a whole. 64 pages of short explanation of each epoch with photos and illustrations and about 80 pages of overview of history. The 64 pages themselves would suffice and they are the reason I purchased 3 copies of them to give away to children for they give graphic overview with some time lines. It is not perfect but a good place to start if one does not have access to the better books you refer to.
Searching google, i find some other possibly better titles with same name Atlas of World History at http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/019521567…glance&n=283155
As they have reviews you might wish to check those 
A concise pictorial history with maps is good.
I wondered if anyone here has read any of these or has some alternatives to recommend.
Although it’s been a VERY long time since I’ve picked it up, I remember H.G. Wells’ History of the World as being enjoyable, thorough and an easy read.
Thanks, both, for those suggestions. I’ll check them out.