Western Civilization: Ideas, Politics & Society: To 1789

by marvin-perry, George W. Perry, Marvin; Jacob, Margaret C.; Von Laue, Theodore H.; Chase, Myrna; Jacob, James R.; B

This successful two-volume primary source reader emphasizes the history of ideas. Each of its 300 sources is accompanied by an introductory essay and review questions.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Textbooks, School, Reference, World History, Politics

496 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1981

Reviews

[Kristin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I used this textbook in my Western Civilization class this fall and really liked it. The book is clear, comprehensive and relatively readable. I think it does a particularly effective job of drawing out ideas and institutions in each period it covers that ultimately help shape the Western tradition. My main criticism of the book is that it tries to do too much - my students were overwhelmed with information. I would like to see it streamlined a little, focusing in on the most significant figures and reserving the rest for higher-level courses. Despite this small issue, I will definitely be teaching from this book in the future. Of all the Western civilization textbooks I've read, it is the most effective at covering the material in a way that highlights the ultimate significance of events.

[Little Timmy · Rating 3 out of 5]

While not the best school text book I have read it was very well detailed and laid out. Lots of reference material presented. Recommended

[Christina · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this for a class and i found it intriguing but not exactly to my tastes.

[Andrew Riley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have been using this textbook for my western civilization classes and it is very easy to follow. It does a great job of presenting information relevant to each time period and not being a text that I dread reading. The book seemed to be a very good resource to prepare me for class discussions on several topics mentioned in the book and I would recommend it to someone who wants to know a little bit more about different ideas and events throughout a wide period of time.

[Lilia Elizondo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Found this book for free in a used books bin, so as a lover of history I really enjoyed it. I can't say how great it is for a college course, but as a reading just for fun, it's great. It's extremely easy to understand, and you can use it as a good reference for some history courses. It really helped me memorize some important speeches and documents that are really important for classes and (very cheesy) life. It's just really good for history nerds.

[Lis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Perry does an excellent job of portraying the history of this world. He stays as unbiased as can be expected and as is possible. I do not agree with everything that is said because I believe in the history of the Bible, but he does a good job, nevertheless. I enjoyed learning more about the Western Civilization and hearing the viewpoints of historians on these cultures and what can be gathered from them.

[Jerry · Rating 4 out of 5]

History textbook

[Denise Stevenson]

Looking forward to reading the next one for West Civ II

[Steven Townsend]

Western Civilization Ideas, Politics and Society

[Andrew Goodale · Rating 5 out of 5]

Marvin Perry is goated, nough said [I read each line from front cover to back]

[Lance · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good western civ text.

[Jamal Kim · Rating 2 out of 5]

school text. typical liberal pc crap.

[Zulhilmi Zakaria]

Reading this book is one kind of very challenging things that i ever did in my life. Well, you know, it's history. This book tells about the Western Civilization as focusing from French Revolution in 18th century until the 21st century of the modern world. I'seen a lot in their history, how the human struggle to find meaning, parties that claimed to uphold justice, but what do mean by "Justice" at the very first place.

Marx defined it by advocating the revolution of worker to bring down Capitalism. Lenin interpreted Marx differently, same goes to Stalin. Adam Smith came with the idea of 'laissez fairre ' that promoting how we should have liberty and freedom of market from government intervention in order to fulfill both parties of exchanging interest. This was the very essential idea of capitalism. However, there should not have a monopoly. Just look how many people that rich physically, materially, but poor spiritually. Like Hamza Yusuf put it, "we have poverty people in the street, and in the Wall Street."

"Western Civilization ended up in the cul de sac" like Malcolm X put it. There is no way out from this lustful and arrogance civilization.

I don't know how to continue this. Just read this book!