World Civilizations: The Global Experience, Vol. 1 - Beginnings to 1750, Third Edition

by Peter N. Stearns, Michael Adas, Stuart Schwartz

Designed for introductory-level survey courses in World History. The primary goal of "World Civilizations" is to present a truly global history-from the development of agriculture and herding to the present. Using a unique periodization, this book divides the main periods of human history according to changes in the nature and extent of global contacts. This global world history text emphasizes the major stages in the interactions among different peoples and societies, while at the same time assessing the development of major societies. Encompassing social and cultural as well as political and economic history, the book examines key civilizations in world history. "World Civilizations "balances this discussion of independent developments in the world's major civilizations with comparative analysis of the results of global contact.

Genres: Nonfiction

80 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1992

About the author

Peter Nathaniel Stearns is a professor at George Mason University, where he was provost from January 1, 2000 to July 2014.
Stearns was chair of the Department of History at Carnegie Mellon University and also served as the Dean of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences (now named Dietrich College of Humanities and Social Sciences) at Carnegie Mellon University. In addition, he founded and edited the Journal of Social History. While at Carnegie Mellon, he developed a pioneering approach to teaching World History, and has contributed to the field as well through editing, and contributing to, the Routledge series, Themes in World History. He is also known for various work on the nature and impact of the industrial revolution and for exploration of new topics, particularly in the history of emotions.
He is active in historical groups such as the American Historical Association, the Society for French Historical Studies, the Social Science History Association and the International Society for Research on Emotion.

Reviews

[Edith · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a fairly interesting textbook, as textbooks go. It stimulated me to think about the peoples of the world and in particular, their religions. Man has a need for some greater meaning outside of himself, not to mention the need for protection from all the dangers and evil spirits of the world, his fellowman included. So man in every corner of the globe has concocted his gods to better understand and order his existence. I became more curious about the major religions of the world and about how these belief systems answer the needs of their adherents. However, that is a huge subject that will have to wait for another day. The school semesters march on and the next course demands more immediate attention.

I did pick up a pristine copy of “The Best Buddhist Writing 2008“ from the library bookstore recently, though. I thought it an opportunity to find out what Buddhists find uplifting and nourishing in reading...but not to worry, fellow believers, I’m in no danger of giving up my Christianity!