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A History of Civilization: Prehistory to the Present (Combined)
New edition of a time-tested text, and one of a two-volume work covering the history of civilization through to the present. Annotation c. by Book News, Inc., Portland, Or.
- GenresHistoryNonfiction
768 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1960
About the author
Crane Brinton
91 books33 followersClarence Crane Brinton (February 25, 1898 – September 7, 1968) was an American historian of France, as well as a historian of ideas. His most famous work, The Anatomy of Revolution (1938) likened the dynamics of revolutionary movements to the progress of fever.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
April 2, 2008
Note, June 13, 2015: I edited this review just now to correct a misspelled word.
Most of my required textbooks in high school and college didn't make any significant impression on me, and I never bothered to remember the titles or the author's names. This one, though, was different --perhaps mostly because I was fascinated by the subject matter, but also because the authors presented it in an engaging way. (There are undoubtedly later editions; as near as I can tell, though, this one would have been the one I read.) I'd already picked up a lot of basic information about world history, from my own reading of kid's history books, as well as high school; but this was a really engrossing, unified presentation of the whole story, detailed enough to be really educational but condensed enough to be readable. The authors wrote in a jargon-free style, with an eye for telling and vivid details. (They also provided very good, annotated chapter-by-chapter bibliographies --which included some historical novels.) The book gave me a good basic, foundational grasp of history that's always stayed with me (I went on to major in History as an undergraduate), and that I could build on in various directions. I kept the books for years, even though they eventually fell victim to a yard sale we had to have to condense belongings for one of our many moves; but I still wish I'd been able to keep them!
In terms of their philosophical perspective, the authors called themselves "chastened children of the Enlightenment" (a good example of the felicitous phrases sprinkled through the book that have stayed with me over the years, like "the stench of a dying democracy" in connection with the waning years of the Roman republic --and the same odor is on the wind in the U.S. today!-- or the description of the 15th century that they quoted from the Dutch historian Huizinga, "the autumn of the Middle Ages"). That is to say, they saw themselves as basically believers in the classical liberal vision of human progress, but with a recognition that it's not unilinear nor inevitable. Their perspective on early humanity was also basically evolutionist. However, on the whole their treatment of history was not highly ideological; they made a clear effort to present all sides of controverted questions and to hew to a mainstream, consensus approach. (Their treatment of Christianity is neutral --but not anti- Christian.) Neither do they overstress any area of history at the expense of others. My understanding of the human past now, from the vantage of nearly forty additional years of study, experience and insight, would be much more colored by interpretation, and considerably different in many emphases, than the one here. But I think mastering that basic neutral framework was an indispensable prelude to building that more interpretive understanding; it provided a factual scaffold that had to precede anything that came later. And I would recommend this book now to anyone who wants to educate himself or herself with the same kind of factual foundation.
Most of my required textbooks in high school and college didn't make any significant impression on me, and I never bothered to remember the titles or the author's names. This one, though, was different --perhaps mostly because I was fascinated by the subject matter, but also because the authors presented it in an engaging way. (There are undoubtedly later editions; as near as I can tell, though, this one would have been the one I read.) I'd already picked up a lot of basic information about world history, from my own reading of kid's history books, as well as high school; but this was a really engrossing, unified presentation of the whole story, detailed enough to be really educational but condensed enough to be readable. The authors wrote in a jargon-free style, with an eye for telling and vivid details. (They also provided very good, annotated chapter-by-chapter bibliographies --which included some historical novels.) The book gave me a good basic, foundational grasp of history that's always stayed with me (I went on to major in History as an undergraduate), and that I could build on in various directions. I kept the books for years, even though they eventually fell victim to a yard sale we had to have to condense belongings for one of our many moves; but I still wish I'd been able to keep them!
In terms of their philosophical perspective, the authors called themselves "chastened children of the Enlightenment" (a good example of the felicitous phrases sprinkled through the book that have stayed with me over the years, like "the stench of a dying democracy" in connection with the waning years of the Roman republic --and the same odor is on the wind in the U.S. today!-- or the description of the 15th century that they quoted from the Dutch historian Huizinga, "the autumn of the Middle Ages"). That is to say, they saw themselves as basically believers in the classical liberal vision of human progress, but with a recognition that it's not unilinear nor inevitable. Their perspective on early humanity was also basically evolutionist. However, on the whole their treatment of history was not highly ideological; they made a clear effort to present all sides of controverted questions and to hew to a mainstream, consensus approach. (Their treatment of Christianity is neutral --but not anti- Christian.) Neither do they overstress any area of history at the expense of others. My understanding of the human past now, from the vantage of nearly forty additional years of study, experience and insight, would be much more colored by interpretation, and considerably different in many emphases, than the one here. But I think mastering that basic neutral framework was an indispensable prelude to building that more interpretive understanding; it provided a factual scaffold that had to precede anything that came later. And I would recommend this book now to anyone who wants to educate himself or herself with the same kind of factual foundation.
April 25, 2023
Crane Brinton’s A History of Civilization is a sweeping narrative of humanity’s cultural, political, and intellectual development. Co-authored with John B. Christopher and Robert Lee Wolff, this ambitious work seeks to provide a comprehensive account of the evolution of civilization from its ancient origins to the modern era. Originally published in 1955 and updated in subsequent editions, the book is notable for its attempt to synthesize historical scholarship into a single, accessible volume.
Brinton, a distinguished historian of intellectual history, brings his characteristic clarity and analytical depth to the text. The book’s structure is chronological, divided into sections that cover key epochs in human history, including the ancient world, the medieval period, the Renaissance and Reformation, the Enlightenment, and the modern age. The authors aim to balance a broad overview of historical trends with detailed examinations of specific events, figures, and ideas that shaped the trajectory of civilization.
One of the book’s key strengths lies in its interdisciplinary approach. Brinton and his co-authors integrate political, social, cultural, and intellectual history to provide a nuanced understanding of historical change. For example, their discussion of the Renaissance not only highlights the political dynamics of Italian city-states but also delves into the artistic and scientific achievements of figures such as Leonardo da Vinci and Galileo. Similarly, the treatment of the Industrial Revolution combines economic analysis with an exploration of its social and cultural repercussions.
The authors’ emphasis on intellectual history reflects Brinton’s own scholarly interests. Ideas and ideologies are given significant weight throughout the narrative, with particular attention paid to their role in shaping historical movements. The treatment of the Enlightenment, for instance, is especially insightful, capturing the ways in which philosophical developments influenced revolutionary political transformations. This focus on intellectual currents helps the reader appreciate the interconnectedness of ideas and historical events.
While the book excels in its breadth and intellectual rigor, it is not without limitations. The work reflects its mid-20th-century origins, and some of its interpretations may feel dated to contemporary readers. For example, the authors’ Eurocentric perspective is evident in their treatment of non-Western civilizations, which are often relegated to secondary status. While the book acknowledges the contributions of Asian, African, and Middle Eastern cultures, these sections are comparatively underdeveloped, and the narrative tends to privilege the achievements of Western civilization.
Additionally, the authors’ focus on high culture and intellectual elites sometimes comes at the expense of addressing the experiences of ordinary people. Social and economic history, while present, is not as prominently featured as the history of ideas and institutions. This imbalance may leave readers with an incomplete understanding of the material and social conditions that underpin the development of civilization.
Despite these shortcomings, A History of Civilization remains a valuable resource for students and general readers seeking an introduction to the grand sweep of human history. Its lucid prose and engaging narrative make it accessible without sacrificing scholarly depth. The book’s emphasis on the role of ideas in shaping historical change is particularly compelling, offering insights into the ways in which culture and thought interact with political and economic forces.
In conclusion, Crane Brinton’s A History of Civilization is a testament to the ambition and intellectual curiosity of mid-20th-century historical scholarship. While its Eurocentric framework and occasional lack of attention to social history may limit its relevance in some respects, the book’s interdisciplinary approach and emphasis on intellectual history ensure its enduring value. Scholars and students alike will find it a thought-provoking and enlightening exploration of the forces that have shaped human civilization over millennia.
GPT
Brinton, a distinguished historian of intellectual history, brings his characteristic clarity and analytical depth to the text. The book’s structure is chronological, divided into sections that cover key epochs in human history, including the ancient world, the medieval period, the Renaissance and Reformation, the Enlightenment, and the modern age. The authors aim to balance a broad overview of historical trends with detailed examinations of specific events, figures, and ideas that shaped the trajectory of civilization.
One of the book’s key strengths lies in its interdisciplinary approach. Brinton and his co-authors integrate political, social, cultural, and intellectual history to provide a nuanced understanding of historical change. For example, their discussion of the Renaissance not only highlights the political dynamics of Italian city-states but also delves into the artistic and scientific achievements of figures such as Leonardo da Vinci and Galileo. Similarly, the treatment of the Industrial Revolution combines economic analysis with an exploration of its social and cultural repercussions.
The authors’ emphasis on intellectual history reflects Brinton’s own scholarly interests. Ideas and ideologies are given significant weight throughout the narrative, with particular attention paid to their role in shaping historical movements. The treatment of the Enlightenment, for instance, is especially insightful, capturing the ways in which philosophical developments influenced revolutionary political transformations. This focus on intellectual currents helps the reader appreciate the interconnectedness of ideas and historical events.
While the book excels in its breadth and intellectual rigor, it is not without limitations. The work reflects its mid-20th-century origins, and some of its interpretations may feel dated to contemporary readers. For example, the authors’ Eurocentric perspective is evident in their treatment of non-Western civilizations, which are often relegated to secondary status. While the book acknowledges the contributions of Asian, African, and Middle Eastern cultures, these sections are comparatively underdeveloped, and the narrative tends to privilege the achievements of Western civilization.
Additionally, the authors’ focus on high culture and intellectual elites sometimes comes at the expense of addressing the experiences of ordinary people. Social and economic history, while present, is not as prominently featured as the history of ideas and institutions. This imbalance may leave readers with an incomplete understanding of the material and social conditions that underpin the development of civilization.
Despite these shortcomings, A History of Civilization remains a valuable resource for students and general readers seeking an introduction to the grand sweep of human history. Its lucid prose and engaging narrative make it accessible without sacrificing scholarly depth. The book’s emphasis on the role of ideas in shaping historical change is particularly compelling, offering insights into the ways in which culture and thought interact with political and economic forces.
In conclusion, Crane Brinton’s A History of Civilization is a testament to the ambition and intellectual curiosity of mid-20th-century historical scholarship. While its Eurocentric framework and occasional lack of attention to social history may limit its relevance in some respects, the book’s interdisciplinary approach and emphasis on intellectual history ensure its enduring value. Scholars and students alike will find it a thought-provoking and enlightening exploration of the forces that have shaped human civilization over millennia.
GPT
March 1, 2026
some feel that the fifth edition from 1976 was the best version
less than a decade after his death
and I think the largest page count of earlier and later editions
[if anyone knows more]
[toss a note over]
less than a decade after his death
and I think the largest page count of earlier and later editions
[if anyone knows more]
[toss a note over]
November 3, 2013
My parents gave me volume one many, many years ago. I've moved it from Texas to Europe to Georgia, Florida and California. It's one book I won't let go -- a good, introduction to world history. It has served me well and I always find something new in it. Great for dipping-in or doing a little background research. Someday I'm going to find volume two
February 4, 2016
An exceptionally good history course book. Very well laid out chapters and easy to read text. Very good use of pictures and illustrations also. Very recommended
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews