Book Description
It is generally assumed that the military reforms which propelled Russia into the modern world were due solely to the genius of Peter the Great. In fact, his reforms were built upon changes that had taken place during the previous 200 years, since the creation in 1550 of Russia's first full-time military force (the streltsi) by Ivan IV the Terrible. This account traces Russia's armies from that beginning, through the creation of paid regular regiments from1630, up to the reign of Peter the Great. It is illustrated with rare early drawings, photos of surviving artifacts, and dazzling colour reconstructions of exotic military costumes.
Customer Reviews:
lack of coherence and originality.......2006-04-08
This book-let should be cited as a exmaple of how not to write works on historical subjects. The subject matter should be covered in 2-3 books Osprey-style, and still the material would have to be constrained to fit them. The Polish-Lithuanian title from Osprey consisted of 2 books yet it covers a bit less time frame - 1569-1696AD, and Russian armies did undergo more changes etc. Was this shortness of material caused by lack of knowledge on part of the authors?
The title alone is so... deceiving. Was Ivan IV the Terrible alive in the year 1500 AD? No, he was not, but his father was who actually set Russia on her path of the neverending territorial growth. Ivan IV assumed the trone in 1547, when
he came of age, and reformed the country ( also creating the first standing army - the strelets).
Where are the Don Cossacks, their organization and their fabulous conquest of Siberia? nowhere to be found!
What the hell are the Lithuanian warriors doing in this book? Lithuania was conquered by Russian in 1795, but prior to that time she was an independed country, with its traditions, language, armies etc. This Lithianian inclusion was also perpetrated in the 'Medieval Russian Armies 2' title of the same team, where all of the sudden Lithuania became part of so called "Western Russia" (known since the inception in the 10th century as Bielaruss).
Ukraine is also treated as part of Russia, and the Cossacks described here are the Zaporozhains - well, this is straight from the texts of the imperial Russian historians of the 19th century and their communist marxists followers of Soviet Union.
The reforms of the 1620 and 1440s are not given any adequate treatment, nor one can find any illustrations of the reformed, very Western looking army of the 1650-60s, the time of the terrible war with Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, which nota bene Russia did not win, suffering terrible defeats one after another.
And so on and so forth...
Mr Shpakovsky might be a friend of Osprey Publishing editors, but he is a not a scholar nor authority of any sort in the Russian modern history, and rather a laughing stock in Russia proper - almost 20 years in his doctoral studies and yet to get his Phd degree (sic!)
Illustrations - nothing original, and actually some of them copied exactly from Mr. Gorelik's Montvert book titled 'Warriors of the Eurasian Steppe").
In summ, for 10 US dollars this appears to be not a bad deal, but what exactly one will be buying? My answer is that this is nothing but a convoluted, Soviet-style, terribly unimaginative and inoriginal material with some rather inogininal illustrations, Mr. McBride does save their skin here.
Was this title needed then? Perhaps, and after reading this Nicolle-Shpakovsky team work I believe the goal has not been achieved. Please someone, do a nice, thorough book on the subject, with some good illustrations etc.
About Time.......2006-03-11
It's about time someone took the time to write and illustrate this amazing era in Russian history. The team of David Nicolle and Angus McBride never dissapoint. The addition of Russian author V. Shpakovsky is also welcomed...and gives a real insight into the era. Very few can challenge Mr. Nicolle on Islamic History and equally few can challenge Mr. McBride on Historical Illustration. I am happy to own an actual plate from this book...and my best friend has one as well. They are all beautifully rendered.
It's a rich and colorful history and once digested will give you a much better understanding of the thought and vision of Peter the Great, who followed...and what has become the beginings of modern Russia.
Great potential, mediocre outcome.......2006-02-23
I preordered this book with the greatest excitement. I had been wondering if Osprey would ever cover 16th and 17th C. Muscovy. Being a writer myself, I would have proposed this book had I not been locked in the NW USA with mediocre Russian language skills and no access to original sources, battlefields, and equipment. Unfortunatley Shpakovsky and Nicolle, who between them had everything I did not, did not write anything in this book that I didn't already have in English-language secondary sources. (I'll make a concession here - the section on fortifications has some very interesting marterial)
The first star I give just for somebody writing a book on this sorely neglected subject. I give the second star for all of the photographs of period pictures and military equipment. I would have bought the book just for them.
After these items, though, I can't say much for the book. The research seems to have been lazy and carries a very heavy "Great Russian" bias. I can inderstand this so some extent - all historians have their biases (although mature historians are aware of their own biases and try to cover the bases a bit more), but some of the comments are simply demeaning to Russia's neighbors. Choice was the timeline entry for the 1648 Cossack uprising - here called "the war to unite the Ukraine with Muscovite Russia," an description of the events that was formed only in the 1950s in Soviet Russia. This indicated not only bias, but poor research.
The plates are enjoyable, but have a distrubingly sharp resemblance to the plates of M.V. Gorelik's "Warrior's of Eurasia." Unfortunatley this book is out of print. But it seems that almost every figure from Gorelik's plates that was relevant to this topic has been copied right down to the details. I know that they would both be based on similar original sources, but the consistency of the similarities is disturbing. Unlike many of Nicolle's other (very good) Osprey works, no sources are given for the plates). Also, some of the plates are not as relevant to the test - esp. the Cossacks. The text deals mostly with the Don and other Eastern Cossacks, yet the plate only shows Ukrainian/Zaporozhian Cossacks. Finally, although I enjoy McBride's work, it seems a little rough here. The horses, especially, are starting to look a little disproportionate and wierd! (just see the fron t cover pic.)
Ultimately, I just hope (although I fear that this is the case) that Osprey and other publishers will not neglect this niche of history, thinking that it has been "filled" by this book. I'm afraid we just get one book on this topic, and it's just not very good.
Welcome Addition to the Osprey Line.......2006-02-18
A much needed addition to the Osprey line. The title can be a bit deceiving, as the book is not strictly about Ivan the Terrible's army, but covers a 200 year period beginning before Ivan's reign and finishing at the beginning of Peter I's ascension to the throne.
The authors are David Nicolle, an Osprey hall-of-famer, and V Shpakovsky, a newer author who is becoming one of my favorites. The main thesis seems to be that Peter's refoms didn't happen out of nowhere, but were built on the innovations of his predecessors. I remain unconvinced on this issue. Still, the volume has more than enough to recommend it.
Beginning with a quick look at the Russian army in 1500, the authors go on to describe Ivan's innovations, including the Streltsi, Oprichniki, improvements in the cavalry and artillery. A look at the Russian army in the 17th century follows including fortisfications. A brief section on the Cossacks and Lithuania closes out the text. There is not much on the actual campaigns and battles, but rather the focus is on organization, technology and uniforms.
Angus McBride does the color plates. I am not a big fan of Mr. McBride's, which in fairness, probably puts me in the minority, but its my opinion. I find his figures biomechanically challenged and lacking continuity or rhythm. The plates do however convey the necessay information well.
Book Description
Best-selling text, WESTERN CIVILIZATION has helped over one million students learn about the present by exploring the past. Jack 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. Each chapter offers a substantial introduction and conclusion, providing students a context for these disparate themes. The clear narrative of a single gifted author makes it easy for students to follow the story of Western civilization. Spielvogel gives the book depth by including over 150 maps and excerpts of over 200 primary sources--including official documents, poems, and songs--that enliven the past while introducing students to source material that forms the basis of historical scholarship. Available in many split options: WESTERN CIVILIZATION, Comprehensive, 6th Edition (Chapters 1-29), ISBN: 0534646026; WESTERN CIVILIZATION, Volume I, To 1715, 6th Edition (Chapters 1-16), ISBN:0534646034; WESTERN CIVILIZATION, Volume II, Since 1500, 6th Edition (Chapters 13-29), ISBN:0534646042; WESTERN CIVILIZATION, Volume A: To 1500, 6th Edition (Chapters 1-12), ISBN: 0534646050; WESTERN CIVILIZATION, Volume B: 1300-1815, 6th Edition (Chapters 11-19), ISBN:0534646069; WESTERN CIVILIZATION, Volume C: Since 1789, 6th Edition (Chapters 19-29), ISBN: 0534646077; WESTERN CIVILIZATION, Since 1300, 6th Edition (Chapters 11-29), ISBN:0534646085.
Customer Reviews:
Awesome Book.......2006-05-19
Very easy explanation in book.........dont try to read whole book otherwise you will get sleep
Great for CLEP resource.......2006-01-18
Got this book as well as Volume I and used them as my resources for taking the Western Civ I and II CLEPS. Perfect for the job, and helped me get a very good grade, highly recommend for anyone looking to use for that purpose.
Revionist History.......2005-07-05
After being required to read this text for a class, I bought two other history books to which I could compare this one. I thought that Spielvogel was leaving out chunks of history, and revising the ones that he included, and I wanted to double check my facts before making any accusations. Well, boy was I right. This book makes the Publisher's tag line, "Changing the Way the World Learns" seem a little too true..
If you DO get this book, here are some things to look out for:
1. He is wrong on just about everything that has to do with art or music. He cites obscure artists and names them as the most popular, most of them had Christian themed work.
2. He glorifies Hitler and the Nazis and makes the Holocaust seem like nothing but a minor glitch in history.
3. The author has a degree in Reformation History and seems to be unable to help himself from relating every single event in history to religion. So keep in mind that Voltaire had more to offer history than an anti-Christian revisionist account of the fall of the Roman Empire, as Spielvogel states.
If I were you, I'd buy a different history book to read as well as this one, if this is required for a course. Preferably one that was published for the first time in the thirties or forties and has been updated since, so that its more clear it isn't revionist history. This one was first published in 2003.
Honestly, if I could give this book less than one star I would, but there's no such option on amazon.com...
yikes.......2005-04-22
This book was horrible for AP Euro, it was not in chronological order and often confused our class. Also, he skipped over some events that were important to know for the AP exam.
THIS BOOK SUCKS.......2004-12-30
Jackson J. Spielvogel has no sense of organization whatsoever. And as for those people who read this book for fun, SERIOUSLY need a life. I, however, am using this book as a text book for AP Euro and think it is absolutely ludicrous that we have to use it. It's confusing and needs to be written better. A LOT better. This book should get -1000000 stars.
Book Description
Succeeding in World Civilizations class isn't easy. That's why Adler and Pouwels wrote WORLD CIVILIZATIONS: VOLUME II: SINCE 1500 in its trademark, easy-to-read style. Hundreds of illustrations, maps, and documents, overviews, self-tests, and other learning aids make the history of world civilizations easier for students to study and understand. Volume 1 includes thirty concise chapters make content manageable.
Book Description
Unlike some other world history texts that center on the West, The Human Record provides balanced coverage of the global past. The book features both written and artifactual sources that are placed in their full historical contexts through introductory essays, footnotes, and focus questions.
The text sheds light on the experiences of women and non-elite groups while maintaining overall balance and a focus on the major patterns of global historical developments through the ages.
Customer Reviews:
History from the original source documents.......2007-04-27
"The Human Record" is a collection of primary source documents veering world history from the beginning of written history to about 1500 AD/CE. The text provides context for the original source documents and it typically is used as a companion text for many world history textbooks at the secondary and university levels. "Human Record" includes sample questions which either the student or teacher can utilize to help assess their comprehension of the material presented.
"Human Record" has been regularly updated with new editions that further add or refine previous editions, attesting to its enduring popularity as a resource at both the secondary and university levels. Outside of teachers and students however I cannot imagine there is much appeal. It does represent a wide cultural diversity of ethnic groups and religions rather than showing a Eurocentric perspective, but then again that's become the norm at both secondary and university levels rather than the norm.
4th Edition different from 5th.......2005-09-26
If you are needing the 5th Edition for a class, Do not be fooled that the 4th is the exact same. The majority of the documents are exactly the same but a few key ones are not there. It depends if you want to do the extra work to save a few dollars...so far it's been ok for me...
A Review of The Human Record: Sources of Global History.......2000-05-28
The Human Record: Sources of Global History is an excellent introduction for History students in analyzing and discussing primary source material. The editors have selected not only the most interesting but also the most useful sources in World History. Selections range from the Epic of Gilgamesh, The Book of Genesis, Code of Hammurabi, the Analects, Bhagavad Gita, etc. The only critque I have is that some of the selections are rather short but if used in conjunction with a text book like Traditions and Encounters: A Global Perspective on the Past, and other supplemental material this book will prove beneficial to instructors and students of any World History course. cdeluca@citrus.ucr.edu
Book Description
Noted teachers and scholars William J. Duiker and Jackson J. Spielvogel present a balanced, highly readable overview of world history that explores common challenges and experiences that unite the human past and that identify the key global patterns over time. Thorough coverage of political, economic, social, religious, intellectual, cultural, and military history in Volume 2 has been integrated into a chronologically ordered synthesis to help students gain an appreciation and understanding of the distinctive character and development of individual cultures in society. This edition of WORLD HISTORY continues to take a global approach to world history, with an emphasis on analytical comparisons between and among cultures throughout history. This approach helps students' link events together in a broad comparative and global framework, thereby placing the contemporary world in a more meaningful historical context. WORLD HISTORY is available in the following volume options: WORLD HISTORY, FIFTH EDITION (Chapters 1-29) ISBN: 0495050121; WORLD HISTORY, VOLUME I: TO 1800, FIFTH EDITION (Contains Chapters 1-17) ISBN: 0495050539; WORLD HISTORY, VOLUME II: SINCE 1500, FIFTH EDITION (Contains Chapters 13-29) ISBN: 0495050547; WORLD HISTORY TO 1500, FIFTH EDITION (Contains Chapters 1-12) ISBN: 0495050601.
Customer Reviews:
FANTASTIC TEXTBOOK!.......2006-09-07
This book is written in a very engaging manner by a pair who clearly love history and know what they're talking about. They cover the most important material, with quite a bit of detail, but it's not overwhelming. The book is well laid out visually, making it easy to read. The source material they include is fascinating. This is the best world history textbook I've found. I would recommend it to students from high school through college, or to anyone wanting to learn history for pleasure.
Better than other History books I've had to read.......2006-06-01
This book was a required selection for a class that I am taking. I had read the negative reviews here on amazon.com and was very biased about reading it. But once I did, I found out how wrong they are. I have really enjoyed this book and it is well made and beautifully put together. I would suggest making your own opinions though. History doesn't have to be "boring"; it's up to you to decide for yourself how to interpret the information.
My review below this one is NOT for this text book!.......2002-09-07
This review was mistakenly placed upon this text by myself, it is not for this text!
This Review is meant for the text book: "World History Since 1500, Volume II by William J. Duiker, Jackson J. Speilvogel".
I hearby retract this review as of 09/06/02 for "World History text by William J. Duiker, Jackson J. Spielvogel".
A student in Georgia who used this book........2002-08-20
This book manages to confuse-the-heck out of the reader by its poorly executed editing and lackluster written content.Its many examples of contradicting content, the obvious failure of the many contributors in correlating their facts, along with the poor editing, contribute to its confusion and overall boredom. This text should be pulled from use and publication! Rated it two stars only because the chapter on WWII was darn good (the only part in the book that made sense, and yes, I read the whole book).
Pity the poor individual who is forced into using this extremely bad example of a history text book. Beware.
From a student forced to use this..........2002-02-13
Until this year, when I had to use this textbook, I LOVED history. It was my favorite subject next to English, and I often bought my book home to read it for fun. I especially enjoyed American history and selected parts of European history, specifically the English, French, German...
However, when I received this book this year, I was stunned. Not only was it extremely heavy and hurt my back from carrying it every day, but it was DULL. He somehow managed to make history tedious. When we had to take notes on a section, one would literally have to copy every sentence. There may have been a lot of information [believe me, there is!], but it was not presented in an interesting manner at all. Maybe for someone who dislikes history it won't be so bad, but it drove me mad.
Book Description
Save money with PRIMARY SOURCE READER FOR WORLD HISTORY, VOLUME II, SINCE 1500! Brief and inexpensive, this primary source reader gives you a broad perspective of the history of the world. Readings are divided into parts covering eras and are organized according to themes such as religion, law and government, and everyday life. Each individual reading has a head note and study questions to guide your reading and understanding of the content.
Book Description
A true exploration of world history, Volume II presents the latter phases of world history through an analysis of three chronological turning points seen through the prisms of eight different themes —origens, cities, empires, religion, trade, migrations, revolutions and technology. Focusing throughout on three major questions — What do we know? How do we know it? What difference does it make? — it helps readers make sense of the immensity of human historical experience. Volume II covers history from migration: 1500-1750, demographic changes, social change: 1688-1914, and exploding technologies:1914-1900s. For individuals interested in a comprehensive, yet manageable presentation of world history.
Book Description
Take a fascinating look at western civilization that reveals the diversity and richness of the human experience! Explore Duiker and Spielvogel's brief, best-selling WESTERN CIVILIZATION: A BRIEF HISTORY, VOLUME II, SINCE 1500 and discover the common challenges and experiences that unite the human past¿and inform the future. The authors weave the political, economic, social, religious, intellectual, cultural, and military aspects of history into a gripping story that is as memorable as it is instructive. In each chapter, you'll find introductions and conclusions that give you a context within which to understand these disparate themes. And the authors include dozens of maps and primary sources--including official documents, poems, and songs--that enliven the past while introducing you to the challenges involved in interpreting history.
Customer Reviews:
Liked Vol. I better.......2006-12-27
I thought Vol. I was much easier to follow. Vol. II jumped from one event to another and not necessarily in order. For example, one paragraph talks about Hitler committing suicide; two paragraphs later the Holocaust is discussed. I found it hard to read.
Customer Reviews:
A Window to Civilizations of the Past and Present.......2000-11-19
As far as world civilization textbooks go, this one proves to be the most useful. The book spans from Paleolithic icemen to the industrialized peoples of the 20th century all around the world. Included are timelines within each chapter summarizing major events for the chapter. They are short and to the point. Lovely and helpful pictures appear on every page. As a person reads through this book, the begin to be able to make connections between social, cultural, political, and economic ideas in each civilization and then follows up on how each civilization develops throughout time. It is an excellent textbook for people who want to start studing world history.
Book Description
This brief version of WESTERN CIVILIZATION retains all of the best selling features of the larger book in a condensed manner. Chapters 12-30 of the comprehensive volume are included.
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Russian Fortresses 1480-1682 (Fortress)
Polish Winged Hussar 1576-1775 (Warrior)
Roman Auxiliary Cavalryman: AD 14-193 (Warrior)
Medieval Russian Armies 1250 - 1500 (Men-At-Arms)
The Scandinavian Baltic Crusades 1100-1500 (Men-at-Arms)
