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The Anchor Atlas of World History, Vol 2: From the French Revolution to the American Bicentennial
This second volume covers key events from the French Revolution to the American Bicentennial. It chronicles the discoveries, battles, inventions, political movements, treaties, elections, births, assassinations, coups & coronations that have shaped the modern world.
328 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1964
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
March 14, 2017
Too much history, not enough atlas.
A slightly larger than rack-sized (mass market) paperback with maps on the verso side and a brief, bulleted text of the history the map covers on the recto side. Conveying sufficient information is defeated on the map side in many cases the by small page size--for example, "The Interwar Period in Africa" map which covers the entire continent showing independent nations, colonies and which European countries ruled them plus mineral wealth and agricultural production simply overwhelmed the space allotted. Other maps are useful and a few are extraordinary in the information they provide, for example "The Revolution in Germany" map shows where Workers and Soldiers Councils were functioning as the supreme political authority in the week before the end of World War I, a pretty specialized and useful compilation, even though it is on a half page, image size 3.5 inches x 3 inches.
Useful charts accompany some maps/histories, such as the tonnage of bombs dropped on Britain and those dropped on Germany from 1940 to 1945, compiled by year.
Extremely Eurocentric with as many pages (maps, text and charts) devoted to the composition by party and election results of the interwar legislative bodies of Germany, Austria, France and Italy (up to the consolidation of Fascism) as to all of African history.
Given the difficulties inherent in its size I probably would not have purchased "The Penguin Atlas of World History Volume 2" if I had encountered it in a bookstore and leafed through it or had given more thought to its actual page size. The bulleted text opposite the maps is sometimes useful as a timeline but also tries to present do much information as to become unwieldy.
Much of this critique is based solely on how I use an historical atlas. In addition to simply paging through it--something I can't resist with any book of maps--I generally consult an historical atlas to add to my understanding of a history book (or series of them) that I am reading and that don't have adequate maps themselves. If you have different criteria you would have a different response to the book.
A slightly larger than rack-sized (mass market) paperback with maps on the verso side and a brief, bulleted text of the history the map covers on the recto side. Conveying sufficient information is defeated on the map side in many cases the by small page size--for example, "The Interwar Period in Africa" map which covers the entire continent showing independent nations, colonies and which European countries ruled them plus mineral wealth and agricultural production simply overwhelmed the space allotted. Other maps are useful and a few are extraordinary in the information they provide, for example "The Revolution in Germany" map shows where Workers and Soldiers Councils were functioning as the supreme political authority in the week before the end of World War I, a pretty specialized and useful compilation, even though it is on a half page, image size 3.5 inches x 3 inches.
Useful charts accompany some maps/histories, such as the tonnage of bombs dropped on Britain and those dropped on Germany from 1940 to 1945, compiled by year.
Extremely Eurocentric with as many pages (maps, text and charts) devoted to the composition by party and election results of the interwar legislative bodies of Germany, Austria, France and Italy (up to the consolidation of Fascism) as to all of African history.
Given the difficulties inherent in its size I probably would not have purchased "The Penguin Atlas of World History Volume 2" if I had encountered it in a bookstore and leafed through it or had given more thought to its actual page size. The bulleted text opposite the maps is sometimes useful as a timeline but also tries to present do much information as to become unwieldy.
Much of this critique is based solely on how I use an historical atlas. In addition to simply paging through it--something I can't resist with any book of maps--I generally consult an historical atlas to add to my understanding of a history book (or series of them) that I am reading and that don't have adequate maps themselves. If you have different criteria you would have a different response to the book.
June 15, 2012
The two volumes of this atlas are absolutely my "Desert Island" books
November 3, 2016
This is an excellent reference work; a book of maps of world history, illustrating events with clear diagrams and accompanied by informative, concise text. The book is small, the text (obviously) smaller, so get yer specs on if you´re anywhere near 40. Highly recommended.
September 25, 2017
PEQUEÑO PERO MATÓN Un atlas histórico de gran envergadura que pese a su brevedad, la calidad y lucidez expuestas hacen de este libro una útil herramienta de trabajo para estudiantes, docentes y aficionados.
January 9, 2019
one of my best books
February 2, 2021
Volume two of a beautiful, compact set of historical maps.
August 15, 2011
I ripped this book up and posted the pages all over my dorm room when I was in college.
October 3, 2011
I love this book, every page and every map. Thanks very much to the people who created and worked on it. I read it every night before going to sleep. What a treasure.
November 6, 2013
the name should have been "Atlas of German and European History" instead.
March 23, 2014
Any time I read a history book (one of my favorite genres) I have this with me. It gives me a quick look at relevant maps and events of the period. Indispensable for my reading.
November 14, 2015
A great reference book filled with maps of how the world looked, politically, throughout history. A great companion when you are reading anything historical.
February 26, 2012
Government 1000's years w.i.p. & still not nearly there.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews