Western Civilization Author: Amazon Prime Sign in to turn on 1-Click ordering | Language: English | ISBN:
0495913243 | Format: PDF
Western Civilization Description
Best-selling book WESTERN CIVILIZATION has helped over one million users learn about the present by exploring the past. Jackson Spielvogel's engaging, chronological narrative weaves the political, economic, social, religious, intellectual, cultural, and military aspects of history into a gripping story that is as memorable as it is instructive. The clear narrative of a single gifted author makes it easy to follow the story of Western civilization.
- Hardcover: 1072 pages
- Publisher: Cengage Learning; 8 edition (January 1, 2011)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 0495913243
- ISBN-13: 978-0495913245
- Product Dimensions: 10.6 x 8.9 x 1.4 inches
- Shipping Weight: 3.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
If I could give this book three and a half stars, I'd rather do that, because the rating truly falls between "It's OK and I liked it."
The main reason for this less-than-steller rating is that the book effectively makes an interesting subject boring. Another reviewer from Barnes and Noble remarked that, though they loved history, they detested this book. That about sums up my sentiment. History had long been one of my favorite subjects, yet I found myself slogging through this book--while others held me spellbound. Of course, if your prof assigns this book, you really have no choice; the author does cover the ENTIRE history of western civ (from the homo erectus to Bush's Iraq war), but in a certain way.
In this book, emphasis is placed on MODERN history, specifically the nineteenth century and the various wars of the twentieth century. Pre-history through the collapse of the Roman Empire is covered--but those subjects only get seven chapters, or less than 25% of the book's length (of 29 chapters). Before chapter seven is even finished, the author moves on to early Christianity and "the dark ages." The Middle Age period continues until chapter 11.
From chapter twelve on, the author focuses more on THEMES than time periods, though he tries to present these themes in appropriate chonological order.
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