Connections: The Friendships and Rivalries that Shaped History

Explore the interconnected worlds of 30 great history-makers – and discover intriguing links, surprising friendships, and tantalizing tales

Did you know that the author Mark Twain was a super connector? Move out of his immediate literary sphere and soon you find yourself in the world of finance (H.H. Rogers, his financial savior and friend), US presidents (Ulysses S. Grant, who became a fast friend after Twain poked fun at him), and inventors and engineers (Nikola Tesla and Thomas Edison, whose labs he liked to visit). And each of those worlds connects to others, creating fascinating webs and spheres of influence. These connections also ripple through time as ideas and personal objects pass through generations.


Connections is a visual history that shows you who lived when and how their lives, ideas, and worlds intersected. Through beautifully designed timelines, graphic devices, and connection webs you’ll meet friends and rivals, learn about chance encounters and orchestrated meetings, and discover surprising crossovers and influences.