The best book I've read this year is Maps of Time, An Introduction to Big History, by David Christian, published by the University of California Press.

I was trained as a chemist, and taught chemistry at the University while in graduate school. Recently though, it's history that has really intrigued me. Maps of Time has it all, starting with the big bang, covering the formation of matter, stars, and planets. Then discussing the evolution of life, the appearance of hominids and their migrations. David covers the progression of foraging groups to pastoralism, then to agrarian societies, and finally to modern civilizations.

Think of Maps of Time as a parallel to the Books of Genesis and Exodus, but it is based on science fact as best as we currently know it, instead of religion, and it is a must read!

Highly recommended!