Book Description
This brief version of the comprehensive edition of WESTERN CIVILIZATION retains all of the best-selling features of the larger book in a condensed format. Three versions are available: Comprehensive (Chapters 1-29), Volume I: To 1715 (Chapters 1-15), and Volume II: Since 1500 (Chapters 13-29).
Customer Reviews:
good book.......2000-08-06
this is a good introductory book for western civilization. if u r new to the field of western civilization, then read this book before any more advanced or complicated books...
Western Civilization: A Brief History.......2000-06-15
I used Spielvogel's _Western Civilization: A Brief History_ when teaching a Humanities I course. _A Brief History_ is a shorter, paperback adaptation of Spielvogel's longer _Western Civilization_. Of the Western Civ texts I've used before (including the longer version of Spielvogel, I thought _A Brief History_ was the most successful. Spielvogel did a good job of choosing the most important historical events and cultural developments to include in his shorter version, at least those most likely to be included in a Western Civ course. Important information is clear both from subheadings and from the text itself, and short samples of primary texts that give students a taste of the past are included. Students also seemed to enjoy reading the _Brief History_ more other Western Civ texts I've taught. Women's history is well-represented. Only caveat: Because the text is a shorter version, not much of Asian, African, or Indian history is included.
Book Description
This full-color introductory text emphasizes cultural history while also covering political and economic history. Each major Chinese dynasty, Japanese Shogunate, or other discrete period is covered in a separate, brief chapter. Encounters with the West (beginning in the 16th century) are also extensively covered. In addition to Conrad Schirokauer, this text has three new co-authors. Miranda Brown teaches in the Department of Asian Languages and Cultures at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor and focuses on early Chinese culture. David Lurie researches the history of writing systems in Japan and also works on the cultural and intellectual history of Japan through the Heian period. Suzanne Gay is Professor of East Asian Studies at Oberlin College. Her research interests include the social and economic history of medieval Japan, with a particular emphasis on the role of commoners in history. This author team combines strong research with extensive classroom teaching experience to offer a clear, consistent, and highly readable text accessible to students with no previous knowledge of the history of China or Japan.
Customer Reviews:
Poor quality.......2006-10-07
I'm a college student majoring in East Asian Studies. This book is required for the intro course, and I hate it. Even ignoring the folly of trying to teach two of the world's oldest civilizations in one slim volume, I still can't recommend this title. It's poorly written (the number of typos and grammatical mistakes are atrocious, especially for a 3rd edition) and the tone is too "dumbed-down" for my taste. Worst of all, the writers did a terrible job in selecting what should be included in a one-volume history of China and Japan. They jump around from topic to topic in an attempt to cover as much material as possible, but they end up sounding indecisive. At the same time, too much of the book is focused on historical anecdotes and art of the period- which is interesting, but not appropriate to a one-volume history of two vast civilizations. The book might succeed if the prose could be polished and better material selected. As of now, I hate having to read something that reads like a long report slapped together by a couple high school kids. I can't wait to sell this back.
A very thorough survey of Chinese and Japanese history.......2005-03-16
This book was specifically recommened to me by a Professor at the University of Texas as a fantastic "starter" on Chinese history. A fantastic read, this college text introduces the reader to Asian civilization in a way that provides information on both the history of Japan and China, as well as a very in-depth look at the cultures which grew out of this history. As Dr. Shirokauer clearly states in his introduction, this book serves as a survey in order to give the reader a general idea on the key aspects (both historically and culturally) of both the Japenese and Chinese civilizations. Weighing in at around 650 pages, this book is a massive undertaking in historical scholarship and provides a fantastic opportunity for the reader to gain a full understanding of Asia, while still leaving the reader thirsty for more at the end. Luckily, a thorough explanations of sources and a very large additional reading section provide avenues for those interested in Asian history to pursue specific topics.
For China, this story focuses around the various dynasties which ruled that country for so long. Beginning with the most early archealogical findings available for China and continuining through the Zhou, Song, Tang, Ming, etc... For Japan, the focus centers around the central administration of Kyoto until the creation of the Shogun and the rise in prominence of Edo (located at present-day Tokyo).
One aspect of this work which so distinguishes it from other college texts on these civilizations is it's focus on the cultural aspects of these two civilizations. The author covers the evolution of art in all forms, everyday living, architecture, and religion in as detailed a fashion as he explains their history. In this way, the reader is able to see a very detailed cultural progression that stands out due to the fact that most history books only pay minor lip service to the importance of culture in a society.
I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in learning about a part of the world that is quickly catching up with it's Western neighbors. As countries like China and Korea begin to frequent more and more national headlines, it is important to understand the key aspects which differentiate it from the West. Not only will this knowledge better inform you of how these people live, but it will provide you with a historical perspective that explains how they got there in the first place.
Art, Literature, Religion-- fully interdisciplinary.......2000-12-11
I am Prof. of Interdisciplinary Humanities at San Francisco State and this has been classroom book of choice. Perhaps book's title should have been "a CULTURAL history of Chinese and Japanese Civilizations." A good 1/3 to 1/2 of each chapter is art, architecture, religion. For instance, "Tokugawa Japan," after four history sections, includes sections on "The Japanese Print... The Popular Theater: Kabuki and Bunraku... Popular Prose Literature... Haiku... Art and Lit after Genroku... Intellectual currents...." Pages are studded with apt illustrations. Undergrads liked though thought it pricey, but it replaced history and art books both.
Schirokauer Thorough & Entertaining.......2000-04-28
As a professor of Asian History, I have found that this text is invaluable as a learning tool for hundreds of students. It thoroughly grounds the reader in the history of Asia. Schirokauer uses narrative and analytical thinking to present Asian History in an accessible and digestible format. The book offers an essential body of information about a massive geographic area that is as diverse as it is fascinating. Each section thoroughly reviews key historical trends in a style that is interesting and a genuine good read.
Book Description
How did a single village community in the Italian peninsula eventually become one of the mightiest imperial powers the world has ever known? This question is the focus of A Brief History of the Romans, an abbreviated version of the highly acclaimed The Romans: From Village to Empire by Mary T. Boatwright, Daniel J. Gargola, and Richard J.A. Talbert. This shorter version lucidly unfolds Rome's remarkable evolution through monarchy, republic, and then an empire that, at its height, stretched from Scotland to Iraq and the Nile Valley. Concise narrative integrates the political, military, social, and cultural landmarks of over 1,500 years--from the early struggles against Etruscans, Samnites, and Gauls to the sack of Rome by Alaric and his Visigoths. The book gives readers a basic yet engaging introduction to Roman history and society. It is an ideal text for courses on Ancient civilization, Roman civilization, or Roman history. FEATURES * Fourteen boxes featuring excerpts from writings by Romans themselves * Extensive variety of photos and illustrations, all with detailed captions; twenty-four custom-drawn maps of the city of Rome, Italy, the Mediterranean, and the wider Roman world * Narrative enlivened by such fascinating individuals as Hannibal, Mithridates, Pompey, Caesar, Cleopatra, Augustus, Livia, Nero, Trajan, Shapur, and Constantine * Selective, up-to-date recommendations for further reading; timeline of key events; glossary of Latin terms
Book Description
This brief, best-selling Western civilization text has helped thousands of students learn about the world they live in by exploring the story of its 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 that sparks students' imaginations by giving them a context within which to understand these disparate themes. And while the single-author narrative makes it easy for students to follow the story of Western civilization, Spielvogel has included dozens of maps and primary sources--including official documents, poems, and songs--that enliven the past while introducing students to the challenges involved in interpreting history. This edition includes substantial new material on world history to show students the impact of other parts of the world on Western civilization and is now the BRIEFEST of the leading brief Western civilization texts. Available in the following split options: WESTERN CIVILIZATION: A BRIEF HISTORY, Third Edition (Chapters 1-29), ISBN: 0-534-62721-8; WESTERN CIVILIZATION: A BRIEF HISTORY, Volume I: To 1715, Third Edition (Chapters 1-16), ISBN: 0-534-62722-6; WESTERN CIVILIZATION: A BRIEF HISTORY, Volume II: Since 1500, Third Edition (Chapters 13-29), ISBN: 0-534-62723-4.
Book Description
This balanced account of Japanese history focuses on developments in art, religion, literature, and thought as well as economic, political, and social history. The author, who has studied and conducted research at The Kyoto University Institute for Humanistic Studies since 1967, offers a clear, consistent, and highly readable text accessible to students with no previous knowledge of Japan.
Customer Reviews:
A book that feels misguided.......2003-12-10
I've had the dubious pleasure of reading this book as I am a student of Japanese language and culture. After reading those 300 pages I have to say that this book is not for those who want to research japanese history as it focuses on many inconsequential things to the history of Japan.
One could say that history is written in suffering as one reads the history of the western world. Both Europe and America have had their bloodshed through the centuries and it's clearly illustrated in our own cultural history. We still create movies, documentaries and books on the Second World War as well as the myriad of conflicts that have been started in the name of religion, king or nation.
Japan is in itself no different as there were clear social class lines between warriors, merchants and commoners. Due to the fact that Japanese history is based on the warrior it is a bit surprising that this book talks very little about the wars and conflicts that drove the nation to the modern world. Some wars that are considered importan to Japanese history are only granted one sentence while the author can go on and on talking about the intricacies of a Buddhist statue.
The second problem with the book is the pacing, the author goes from one emperor to another without putting them in sufficient context which in turns makes this book probably as convulating as the "Nihonshoki".
If it were a book that based itself on Japanese art history, poetry and literature I would well advise it to those who seek knowledge about that particular history. For those who want to see what drove this nation forth to conquest and glory I advise people to look elsewhere.
this book is so good i wish i was reading it right now.......2001-06-14
i thought that this book was good for japanese and chinese civilization study. it should be considered by many teachers as a text for their students.
Book Description
Brief yet detailed, this book provides a thoughtful history of human civilizations while maintaining a balance between the Western world and the rest of global civilization. It covers the general intellectual and material history of human societies and cultures that have left some kind of written and/or archeological record behind. A seven-part organization covers the coming of civilization, empires and cultures of the ancient world, consolidation and interaction of world civilizations, the world in transition, enlightenment and revolution in the west, the modern world, and global conflict and change. For anyone trying to understand the historical experiences that have informed and shaped the world's cultures.
Customer Reviews:
Good.......2005-09-26
Book cover was torn but i actually got this book from amazon. Thats a first since the others never showed.
Nice, but not what I'd expected!.......2005-09-09
This is a very good book, information is well laid out and presented--but I didn't realize it was a high school textbook! If I'd known, I probably wouldn't have ordered it.
The perfet good to aquire a good general overview of History.......2000-03-05
I abhorred History when I was at school. When I've matured and grown more realist I've started to consider the importance of history to try understand what happens around me. I started with The Penguin History of the World" by J.M. Roberts; I don't recommend that book for beginners though it's a good book (I actually hadn't courage enough to finish it, it exists in audiobook too). This book is written by five american scholars which I think gives it a more general scope than others written by a single author. It includes a CD-ROM with the whole book plus a multimedia summary of human history read by a beautiful voice, photographs, Questionnaires, Quizzes, maps and the Complete Webster's New World Dictionary. There's an exclusive webpage for the book with quizzes, add-on reports and links to other history websites, there you can have your questions answered and your exercises corrected (I haven't used it yet though). Sincerely I didn't expect this book to be so good. The CD-ROM is the same for each of the separate books or for the complete version, so, buying the first or second part alone you have the full CD-ROM encompassing all world history.
A fantastic book! I loved it!.......1997-07-24
No book captures the authentity of world civilizations as this one does. A masterpiece
Book Description
Greer/Lewis's A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE WESTERN WORLD gives you a comprehensive view of the development of Western civilization in half the pages of other texts. Each chapter provides broad coverage of political, social, cultural, and religious themes. Includes a CD-ROM and access to an online university library.
Customer Reviews:
Great History Book.......2007-06-09
A Brief History of Western Civilization is a great history book. It not only gives the facts but delves into what was happening in the background of history. The layout is easy to follow and the book includes some great maps, charts, pictures, etc.
The only reason this book isn't getting 5 stars is because it's too big, heavy but flimsy which makes it difficult to take care of, especially lugging back and forth in a book bag.
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 I, TO 1715 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:
Great Book.......2007-09-08
This is a great textbook for Western Civ. I. Very easy & interesting to read & understand.
Customer Reviews:
Western Civilization: A Breif History 5th ed........2005-09-30
I thought the sescription said "very good condition" or "like new", but there is excessive highlighting and pen marks in the beginning of the book.
Western Civilization.......2005-08-03
The description of this book was horrible. I thought I was ordering the actual textbook and instead received the workbook. Also, it wasn't even the workbook to the textbook that had been described on the site.
Books:
- World War II for Kids: A History with 21 Activities (For Kids series)
- A History of US: Book 7: Reconstructing America 1865-1890 (History of Us)
- A Savage War of Peace: Algeria 1954-1962 (New York Review Books Classics)
- America: The Last Best Hope (Volume II): From a World at War to the Triumph of Freedom
- Apaches
- Ashanti to Zulu: African Traditions (Picture Puffin Books)
- Belize Retirement Guide: How to Live in a Tropical Paradise on $450 a Month
- Black Athena: The Afroasiatic Roots of Classical Civilization (The Fabrication of Ancient Greece 1785-1985, Volume 1)
- Black Shoe Carrier Admiral: Frank Jack Fletcher at Coral Sea, Midway & Guadalcanal
- City Center to Regional Mall: Architecture, the Automobile, and Retailing in Los Angeles, 1920-1950
Books Index
Books Home
Recommended Books
- From Puerto Rico To Philadelphia
- Wild About Books
- Taxation and Democracy: Swedish, British and American Approaches to Financing the Modern State
- The Intellectuals and the Flag
- The Heavenly Man: The Remarkable True Story of Chinese Christian Brother Yun
- Under Western Eyes
- The Voice of Knowledge : A Practical Guide to Inner Peace
- Top Secret Executive Resumes
- The Complete Book of Insurance: The Consumer's Guide to Insuring Your Life, Health, Property and Inc
- The Directory of Executive Recruiters 2001
Early Civilization
| Ancient
| History
| Subjects
| Books
Western Civilization: To 1715
World History: The Human Odyssey
Western Civilization, Comprehensive Volume (with InfoTrac)
Study Guide for Spielvogel's Western Civilization, Volume I, 6th
The Epic of Gilgamesh: An English Verison with an Introduction (Penguin Classics)
