Best-selling text, WESTERN CIVILIZATION has helped over one million students learn about the present by exploring the past. Jack Spielvogel's engaging, chronological narrative weaves the political, economic, social, religious, intellectual, cultural, and military aspects of history into a gripping story that is as memorable as it is instructive. Each chapter offers a substantial introduction and conclusion, providing students a context for these disparate themes. The clear narrative of a single gifted author makes it easy for students to follow the story of Western civilization. Spielvogel gives the book depth by including over 150 maps and excerpts of over 200 primary sources--including official documents, poems, and songs--that enliven the past while introducing students to source material that forms the basis of historical scholarship. Available in many split options: WESTERN CIVILIZATION, Comprehensive, 6th Edition (Chapters 1-29), ISBN: 0534646026; WESTERN CIVILIZATION, Volume I, To 1715, 6th Edition (Chapters 1-16), ISBN:0534646034; WESTERN CIVILIZATION, Volume II, Since 1500, 6th Edition (Chapters 13-29), ISBN:0534646042; WESTERN CIVILIZATION, Volume A: To 1500, 6th Edition (Chapters 1-12), ISBN: 0534646050; WESTERN CIVILIZATION, Volume B: 1300-1815, 6th Edition (Chapters 11-19), ISBN:0534646069; WESTERN CIVILIZATION, Volume C: Since 1789, 6th Edition (Chapters 19-29), ISBN: 0534646077; WESTERN CIVILIZATION, Since 1300, 6th Edition (Chapters 11-29), ISBN:0534646085.
Best history course I've done. Very unbiased and pulls in helpful primary sources for all types of readers. It makes history into a narrative that calls the student to action.
Although this textbook gives a good overview of important periods in History (from the 1700s up until present day), it certainly makes no effort to be engaging to readers. It's like reading a dry, outdated scholarly essay with very little to break up the monotony. And my History professor made us read the entire thing, cover to cover. Ugh. At least it can count toward my Goodreads list of Books Read in 2014!
I used this during my years in college and it definitely was helpful. It provides a healthy overview of western civilization history after 1500. Of course this book does not go in depth, but that's because it is a textbook, mainly used for freshman college students. It's a great reference and starting off point.