The West and the World v. 1; From the Ancient World to 1700: A History of Civilization: From the Ancient World to 1700 v. 1 (The West & the World) by Kevin Reilly

by Kevin Reilly

This text engages students and provokes discussion by presenting the past through the prism of current and perennial issues. Interpretive chapters on such topics as gender, religion, war, ecology, and nationalism create both thematic narratives and the strands of a larger chronological account. The book makes great ideas accessible, explores major historical turning points, and reveals the dynamic of increasing global interactions (trade, migrations, etc.). It also compares cultures and civilizations while giving voice to individual lives. This volume explores perennial issues. Gender relations are examined across the neolithic and urban revolutions. Issues of class, civility, and citizenship come to life in a history of Middle Eastern, Mediterranean, Chinese, and Muslim cities. Ideas of love and sex are compared in European, Japanese and Indian history. The social dislocations of empire are compared in Rome and China. The Crusades are viewed through Muslim as well as Christian sources. In addition the seventeenth-century scientific revolution is compared with science in China and the Muslim world.

Genres: Nonfiction, History

Paperback

First published January 1, 1997

Reviews

[Nelson · Rating 2 out of 5]

A general textbook that chooses a thematic approach to what is essentially a global history from antiquity to the Renaissance. It sacrifices depth and specificity for breadth. In terms of theme, Reilly is weirdly obsessed with the work of Lewis Mumford, to the point where he generalizes (badly, often) about the character of life in cities today. Indeed, the book has an agenda (nothing wrong with that) which it querulously advances from time to time in not-so-subtle (or persuasive) ways. Suffice it to say, plenty of city dwellers don't find life in a metropolis quite the dystopian nightmare Reilly consistently does. There is also some specious reasoning linking the development of environmental degradation to monotheism generally and Christianity more specifically. The writing needs work. Reilly composes generally serviceable sentences and atrocious paragraphs that don't have consistent topics or themes. One almost needs to know what he is talking about before one can follow the argument within a given paragraph. God help the novice. So, for students, this book is absolutely not recommended.