The Western Experience, Volume 1, with Primary Source Investigator

by Mortimer Chambers, Isser Woloch, Barbara A. Hanawalt

The Western Experience offers a thorough, analytical overview of Western civilization, giving students an introduction to the major achievements in Western thought, art, and science as well as the social, political, and economic context for understanding those developments. To demonstrate the connected nature of all histories, these various aspects of history are examined in an integrated way. To help readers develop their reasoning and writing skills, each chapter is constructed to serve as an example of a historical essay: A historical problem is presented and arguments are developed using historical evidence. The ninth edition features many improvements, including the work of Lisa Tiersten in her new chapter on Nineteenth Century Empires.

Genres: History, Textbooks, Nonfiction

CD-ROM

First published January 1, 1983

Reviews

[Tim · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is for a much older edition (1979?) that was the primary textbook for the western history survey course I took in college. I don't understand why something that covers a period that ended 400 years ago has to be updated every few years - for political reasons, perhaps? I thought this was wonderful, for what it is - I liked it back then, and I enjoyed rereading it also. This covers the entire sweep of western history, from the appearance of the first settlements in Asia Minor and Sumeria to the threshold of the industrial age. It is well illustrated and includes good maps and charts, so things never grow dull. It is not a mere recitation of dates and battles, but delves into ideas, cultures, movements, and personalities. There are sections on art, science, and religion. I think every educated person should read this, or something like it, in college, and then reread it, more than once, when they get into their postgraduate existences. History is important!

So far as flaws go - well, this is totally centered on Western history, especially European history. Asia and Africa barely get a mention, except for when they impinge upon Western life, as with the conquests of Genghis Khan. Other than that, I thought this was superbly done.

[Michael · Rating 3 out of 5]

I used this as the textbook for a course on Western Civilization for which I was TA. For me, it was primarily useful as a reference to see whether the kids got their facts straight in their papers and on exams. I did read a chunk of the beginning, and found that it wasn't bad, as such things go - it was, of course, a summary of past events that left a lot out, but it did take into account some of the debates and alternative viewpoints that exist in the field. Particularly interesting were sidebars which included primary source quotations, such as "Sappho's Love Poetry" and "Socrates is Sentenced to Death." There are also many colorful maps and images, which add to the narrative well, and help ground the text in a sense of reality. Students probably still won't enjoy it much, but they may find it useful and less painful than other textbooks, while specialists may get something out of the suggested works in each chapter.

[Steph · Rating 4 out of 5]

AP European History is the best class i've taken in my life to date, the reason I was a history major, really the reason for so many decisions in my life. i love and miss ms.guth. i guess this book gets some of the credit :)

[Tiffany · Rating 2 out of 5]

A typical European history textbook.

[Rachel L. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Long, but good test prep for Western Civ I.

[Van Cao]

useful for me to study