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A History of Civilizations
This groundbreaker by one of the premier historians of this century takes an anti-ethnocentric approach to the history of civilizations. This book focuses on the broad sweep of history rather than on the famous events. It covers historical developments in almost every corner of the globe, from the Muslim world and the Far East to Europe and the Americas. Includes maps.
Mass Market Paperbound, 640 pages
Published
April 1st 1995
by Penguin Books
(first published 1992)
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I decided that my history is really weak and I need to learn more about it. This book was a nice overview of civilizations starting with Muhammed and Islam and going all the way through the forming of the United States. Well-written but a little over my head in that a fair bit of historical knowledge was assumed. I could follow it fine, but there were a lot of references I missed. Thus my need to bone up on history : ) Have to admit, it was a little dry and hard to read at say, lunchtime when I ...more
Braudel is considered one of the great 20th c. historians. He fought the French educational establishment to broaden the scope of history to include material from sociology, anthropology, geography, etc., and above all economics. This was in opposition to the traditional kings and battles approach, and this book was intended as a textbook (not accepted by the authorities). Arguably the movement’s been quite fruitful, but this book is a very mixed bag – occasionally excellent, sometimes quite ...more
The scope of this book is vast, covering the history of civilizations in the world almost from the dawn of history itself. Braudel first wrote the book in the 1960's in the hopes it would provide the basic history curricullum in French Universities. It was rejected as too radical. He updated the book in the early 1980's. He would have done best, however, to wait until the 1990's for Braudel's view of history would have required significant revision after the events of the next decade.
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This French historian originally wrote this book for French middle school students, but it was eventually deemed too hard for them. It raises issues I have never thought about, looking at major developments, thought, and themes through the ages in different civilizations around the world.
This is better than the Robert's book, I started the two at roughly the same time. However, I can't get through it any more effectively. I really like his style and his (thick and deep) explanations of civilization and movements are really well done.
Braudel is the master of unusual observations (like 'Europe is a peninsula of Asia,') but I can't quite get into his writing style. More the pity for me, no doubt.
Robert
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Great read! for those who expire to make moves on a global stage an understanding of tribes of the world ( asian, african european etc)a must.
I have read it in Russian translation. But it is the best history book for the upper classses. It both gives a wide picture of the worlв civilizations and at the same time builds clear links between past, present and future. The approach to the history announced by Braudel on my mind is the most productive and humanitarian one.
The book is amazing bot only for its brilliant fact showing bu talso for method used, for example it gives clear and deep explanation of "civilization" as ...more
The book is amazing bot only for its brilliant fact showing bu talso for method used, for example it gives clear and deep explanation of "civilization" as ...more
yeah, this book was ridiculously hard to read. but I'm not a history geek, so that could be why. it took me over 1/2 a year to finish because I could only read a small bit at a time, then step away from it for days. :)
Fascinating overview of the development of civilizations, by one of France's greatest historians.
One of the best universal histories I have ever read
This was the most painful summer reading ever.
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