If you want a really condensed but relatively accurate, funny, and easy to read solution, might I suggest Larry Gonick's work:

The Cartoon History of the Universe - From the Big Bang to Alexander the Great (Volumes 1-7)

The Cartoon History of the Universe II - From the Springtime of China to the Fall of Rome (Volumes 8-13)

The Cartoon History of the Universe III - From the Rise of Arabia to the Renaissance (Volumes 14-19)

He also has a 2 volume History of the Modern World.