Neil Kagan, formerly publisher of "Time-Life Books," now heads Kagan & Associates, creators of innovative illustrated books. Over his 30-year career he has developed such award-winning book series as "Voices of the Civil War, What Life Was Like, Our American Century," and the "Time-Life Student Library." Jerry H. Bentley, head of "The Concise History's" advisory board is Professor of History at the University of Hawaii, editor of the "Journal of World History," and an expert in the history of cross-cultural interactions.