Morris, I. (2010). Why the West rules-- for now: the patterns of history, and what they reveal about the future.New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux.
A very important book. If you liked Jared Diamond's books (e.g., Guns, Germs and Steel, or Collapse), you will definitely like this. It builds upon Diamond's geographical analysis of the growth of civilization, but it goes far beyond, into a cultural history and set of analyses of what is yet to come.
There is even a video: http://www.stanford.edu/dept/classics/cgi-bin/web/news/ian-morriss-new-book-why-west-rules-now-video
The first part of the book (Part I) is presents a grand overview. The last part of the book (Part III) is critically important. For most of us at least, this is where the most important material resides. The middle part (Part II) is for those who like all the minutiae of history from the beginning of life on earth till today. I recommend a rapid skim.
Note that although I recommend skipping part II, it is important for Morris. This is where he establishes the basic framework for his analysis. But I found it tedious.
So read parts I and III. As for part II, decide for yourself. But read the book: This is where the world is moving. It will impact your life.