World History, Volume I: To 1800

by William J. Duiker, Jackson J. Spielvogel

From the dawn of civilization to the modern dilemmas of nation building in Africa and the Middle East, WORLD HISTORY takes a fascinating look at the common challenges and experiences that unite the human past and inform the future. Authors William J. Duiker and Jackson J. Spielvogel's best-selling book uses colorful visuals, maps, and dramatic first-hand historical accounts to give readers a powerful perspective on the human experience over time. The easy-to-read narrative is organized around seven major themes (Science and Technology; Art and Ideas; Family and Society; Politics and Government; Earth and the Environment; Religion and Philosophy; and, Interaction and Exchange), important to all cultures from all time periods, to help readers understand the course of world history and make connections across chapters.

Genres: History, Textbooks, Reference, Nonfiction

608 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1994

About the author

William J. Duiker is a former United States Foreign Service officer and Professor of History at Penn State University. His area of expertise is East Asia; while in the Foreign Service he spent several years in Vietnam, where an injury left him with partial hearing in one ear. Duiker is the author of Ho Chi Minh: A Life, published in 2000, which was the first comprehensive biography of Ho Chi Minh using sources from Vietnam. He recently retired from teaching.

Reviews

[Brooke]

UGH......

[Charles Nevle · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s been a while since I studied World History - a long while. Having read many history books focusing on specific time periods, geographies, and/or subjects, I wanted to refresh my broader based mental framework of the larger historical fabric. This book (at least through 1800) did the trick. Given the clearly large time period and breadth of geography covered, it is an overview, and will leave those with more nuanced knowledge or interest unsatisfied. However, for my desires, it completely fit the bill. I’m probably going to read Volume 2, but the price for that volume is relatively high to Volume 1, so I’m still on the fence.

[Reg · Rating 1 out of 5]

Book is hot, sexist, garbage.