Waves of Global Change: A Holistic World History applies a "big picture" holistic approach to world history, from the big bang to the present. The overarching development of humans through time and space organizes this world history into five major transformations or critical turning points called waves-communal, agricultural, urban, modern, and global. Each wave is holistic, with distinctive cultural patterns-currents-that interact and reinforce each other. By illuminating our long human history, Waves of Global Change helps us to see how we have arrived at the present day, which can help us learn valuable lessons from history.