Great Issues in Western Civilization Since 1500

by Brian Tierney (editor), L. Pearce Williams (editor)

This collection of edited readings (primary and secondary) is organized chronologically into chapters that each present a great issue: that is, a question or problem in Western civilization that is of ongoing interest to students and historians. The chapters present a variety of primary source materials - letters, chronicles, poems, government records, treatises - together with interpretations by modern historians representing a variety of points of view. This approach is designed to help students learn to evaluate historical materials critically and form their own opinions on issues. This edition includes a new chapter on the African origins of Western civilization.

Genres: History

949 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1972

Reviews

[Monzenn]

A great resource for anyone wanting to read more about European history and thinking since say the 1500s (I swear I didn't just crib the title). Covers a lot of the major issues of the centuries, though it ends around the 1960s. Leaves a lot of breadcrumbs as well for anyone who wishes to read the full documents.

[Robert]

Despite being somewhat outdated -- for example nearly 100 pages is given over to the 'Black Athena' controversy -- this is still a decent collection of curated excerpts from sources both primary and secondary.

[Drew]

Great issues in Western civilization by Donald Kagan (1976)