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Foundations Of Western Civilization II: A History Of The Modern Western World
Beginning with the Renaissance, the culture of the West exploded. Over the next 600 years, rapid innovations in philosophy, technology, economics, military affairs, and politics allowed what had once been a cultural backwater left by the collapse of the Roman Empire to dominate the world. This comprehensive series of 48 lectures by an award-winning teacher and captivating lecturer will show you how - and why - this extraordinary transformation took place. As you listen to the series, you'll begin to grasp not only the history of Western civilization, but the meaning of civilization itself, as this grand narrative of the past five centuries creates a coherent context for the period's events and trends, and offers an analysis of what these five centuries have bequeathed to us. Lecture by lecture, you'll explores the ideas, events, and characters that modeled Western political, social, religious, intellectual, cultural, scientific, technological, and economic history between the 16th and 20th centuries. You'll learn how Western civilization was shaped by the low as well as the mighty, the practical as well as the artistic. You'll gain a larger understanding of the political, social, and cultural events that shaped Europe. And you'll explore the ramifications of these epoch-making events on the rest of the world, including the United States.
Audio Cassette
First published January 1, 2006
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About the author
Robert O. Bucholz
10 books26 followersRobert O. Bucholz (D. Phil., University of Oxford, 1988; A.B. Cornell University, 1980) is a professor of history at Loyola University Chicago, where he teaches courses on the history of early modern Great Britain, the city of London and Western Civilization.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
August 2, 2012
Hands down the best lecture I've ever read/attended. Prof. Bucholz managed to condense 600 yrs of European history into 48 lectures in a very comprehensible and fun way.
High recommendation.
High recommendation.
January 27, 2015
I got this course directly from The Great Courses on audio CD and it is fantastic. As much as I enjoyed the predecessor course Foundations of Western Civilization I, I absolutely devoured Foundations II with Professor Bucholz. He is a completely engaging teacher, and his style is perfectly suited for a broad survey course of this nature.
History, particularly modern history, can of course be explored endlessly. The shortcut versions memorized in high school (the reformation began with a note on a door, World War I was started over an assassination, etc.) are obvious oversimplifications. What's great about this course is that Professor Buckholz is a great storyteller, covering all of these old saws thoroughly and dramatically for the novice history student, while filling in the depth, nuance and subtleties expected of The Great Courses.
The course left me with eye popping perspective on the religious history of western society. I was also particularly blown away by the units covering late nineteenth century through WWII. Professor Buckholz paints a haunting and vivid picture of the many environmental factors that led to World War I, the horrors and realities of that war, the political outcomes of that war, and how they led to World War II and the evolution of the Soviet Union. These are lessons that will live with me forever. If we could make this course a prerequisite for public service, we'd be better off as a country!
History, particularly modern history, can of course be explored endlessly. The shortcut versions memorized in high school (the reformation began with a note on a door, World War I was started over an assassination, etc.) are obvious oversimplifications. What's great about this course is that Professor Buckholz is a great storyteller, covering all of these old saws thoroughly and dramatically for the novice history student, while filling in the depth, nuance and subtleties expected of The Great Courses.
The course left me with eye popping perspective on the religious history of western society. I was also particularly blown away by the units covering late nineteenth century through WWII. Professor Buckholz paints a haunting and vivid picture of the many environmental factors that led to World War I, the horrors and realities of that war, the political outcomes of that war, and how they led to World War II and the evolution of the Soviet Union. These are lessons that will live with me forever. If we could make this course a prerequisite for public service, we'd be better off as a country!
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January 11, 2024I've been listening to this course for some time and hasten the last 10–20 lectures compared to the early lectures. In terms of a broad outlook on European history, it does a remarkable job, yet I don't feel like I'm qualified to rate this course. This is mainly due to not paying attention all the time or not referring to the PDFs to properly study the subjects being discussed. However, I will say Robert Bucholz is a passionate lecturer. My favourite elements is how he would refer to art-literature... to support his history. Or even reenacted some trial documents, like during the French Revolution or Industrial Revolution lectures, giving that personal touch. I've been listening to this as part of my own self-education, as I was never taught most of these courses in school. So I listened to History of the Ancient World, History of Ancient Egypt (my favourite Great Course), 3 Courses of the Middle Ages by Philip Daileader, and now Foundations of Western Civilization II by Robert O. Bucholz. So I've finished this mini journey, so do I have a grasp of human history? Not even close, however it makes me hungry to discover more and read into detail certain periods. Overall I had a good time.
July 17, 2018
The history of Europe, in broad stokes, is one damn war after another.
October 28, 2022
Wide-ranging and fascinating, this long but never boring course imparts a wealth of interesting knowledge. I thoroughly enjoyed it... once I had recovered from the extreme déjà-vu effect of the first lecture, parts of which were copied wholesale from Bucholz's course on the Tudors and Stuarts, making me seriously wonder for a bit whether I'd already listened to this one and simply forgotten about it.
February 9, 2022
A remarkable and enjoyable journey throughout last 600 years of Western European History. Highly recommending as a brief refresher on this period and area.
Professor Bucholz doesn't just list boring historical facts and dates like the history was taught to me back in school. He guides you through reasoning behind the certain events, helping you to think about them on a bigger scale and make your own connections with the modern state of the world. Of course, it means that many times his personal opinions affect the (his)storytelling, which he admits in both introduction and conclusion to the course. This is something that anyone interested in history should be aware and compensate by looking for information from a diverse list of resources/authors.
The message about the lessons of war, conflict, nationalism and discriminations, but also humanism, romanticism and liberalism, about the importance of art and literature in preserving the memory of generations, - that message at the end of the course hits especially hard these days, with another large war conflict brewing at the east side of Europe...
Professor Bucholz doesn't just list boring historical facts and dates like the history was taught to me back in school. He guides you through reasoning behind the certain events, helping you to think about them on a bigger scale and make your own connections with the modern state of the world. Of course, it means that many times his personal opinions affect the (his)storytelling, which he admits in both introduction and conclusion to the course. This is something that anyone interested in history should be aware and compensate by looking for information from a diverse list of resources/authors.
The message about the lessons of war, conflict, nationalism and discriminations, but also humanism, romanticism and liberalism, about the importance of art and literature in preserving the memory of generations, - that message at the end of the course hits especially hard these days, with another large war conflict brewing at the east side of Europe...
November 11, 2022
A thoroughly enjoyable lecture series on European history told in thirty minute segments in audiobook format. Very addictive and flows quickly, narrator does an amazing job. Knowledge levelled up.
August 22, 2024
Just brilliant. I listened to this course and it's the kind of content and presentation after which it's hard to find anything nearly half as captivating. The author says that this course is "a toolkit for any citizen of the West, a survival kit for any citizen of the world." ...and I can only confirm - survival kit it is.
August 27, 2016
Everything in the world is the way it is because it became that way and is a past function of things which came before it. Nothing ever happens without a reason. This lecture looks at all the pieces that went in to making us who we are and will explain how we became that way.
The real focal point for this lecture series is why did "The Great War" happen? He'll take the listener past that point into WW II and through the Cold War, but to understand those events he must first take the listener on to the journey starting at about 1350 (the start of the black plague an event that acts as good as any other demarcation from the old to the new, the medieval to the modern).
Modernity is characterized by a change in the "chain of being". Each step in progress means a dent in the chain of being, the world in which every one has their place as defined by the Aristotelian world of Heaven, Angels (demons), Man (and Woman), Animals, Plants, and Rocks, or from the divine rights of Kings to the peasants place in the universe. The other major focal point for the Professor is the importance that 'balance of power" had in developing the western world.
There were times I would get lost. A lot of dates, a lot of names and events happening at once. That really can't be helped with a lecture series such as this one since such a wide period of time is covered. I loved it when the professor read the poetry from the pre-Romantic era and clearly demonstrated the difference with the Romantics and what that meant for how we will learn to see ourselves differently going forward.. A lot of gems like that within this lecture. It's great to hear a historian talk about the Reformation, Renaissance, Enlightenment, and the other ages covered. Usually, I get a philosopher's or a theologian's point of view. The Historian's perspective is refreshing.
History is relevant today. He mentions that his students learn about justice and injustice by studying what was done right and what was done wrong. He mentioned that Stalin when he was coming to power would punish all the family members of the perpetrator, and I immediately thought how barbaric, but then I recalled one of the two presidential nominees wants to execute not only the terrorist but the terrorist's family (plus ca change, plus ca meme chose (the more things change, the more they stay the same)).
I think 'the greatest generation" were the WW I vets on the allies side. I see that war as the first stand against German Hegemony and was necessary. The lecturer doesn't. I'm fine with that. I like to be challenged. I like it when some one makes me think beyond my preconceived notions. Also, he ends the lecture at about 2005. If I had listened to it then, I would have been just as rosy about history and democracy and critical thinking as the professor was. I just can't help but note that the financial crisis of 2008 happened and even more critically as mentioned in Scientific American a presidential candidate has said that "global warming is a Chinese hoax", that statement is void of scientific fact, is absurd and belongs in the nut house, and that candidate seems to divide the world into us verse them, a very anti-enlightenment sentiment. We need to constantly study our past so that we don't make the same mistakes. "Those who don't study the past are doomed to repeat it".
The Professor seamlessly ties together large pieces of history and makes it entertaining while never boring (sometimes he did overwhelm, but that's to be expected since there is a lot of ground covered).
The real focal point for this lecture series is why did "The Great War" happen? He'll take the listener past that point into WW II and through the Cold War, but to understand those events he must first take the listener on to the journey starting at about 1350 (the start of the black plague an event that acts as good as any other demarcation from the old to the new, the medieval to the modern).
Modernity is characterized by a change in the "chain of being". Each step in progress means a dent in the chain of being, the world in which every one has their place as defined by the Aristotelian world of Heaven, Angels (demons), Man (and Woman), Animals, Plants, and Rocks, or from the divine rights of Kings to the peasants place in the universe. The other major focal point for the Professor is the importance that 'balance of power" had in developing the western world.
There were times I would get lost. A lot of dates, a lot of names and events happening at once. That really can't be helped with a lecture series such as this one since such a wide period of time is covered. I loved it when the professor read the poetry from the pre-Romantic era and clearly demonstrated the difference with the Romantics and what that meant for how we will learn to see ourselves differently going forward.. A lot of gems like that within this lecture. It's great to hear a historian talk about the Reformation, Renaissance, Enlightenment, and the other ages covered. Usually, I get a philosopher's or a theologian's point of view. The Historian's perspective is refreshing.
History is relevant today. He mentions that his students learn about justice and injustice by studying what was done right and what was done wrong. He mentioned that Stalin when he was coming to power would punish all the family members of the perpetrator, and I immediately thought how barbaric, but then I recalled one of the two presidential nominees wants to execute not only the terrorist but the terrorist's family (plus ca change, plus ca meme chose (the more things change, the more they stay the same)).
I think 'the greatest generation" were the WW I vets on the allies side. I see that war as the first stand against German Hegemony and was necessary. The lecturer doesn't. I'm fine with that. I like to be challenged. I like it when some one makes me think beyond my preconceived notions. Also, he ends the lecture at about 2005. If I had listened to it then, I would have been just as rosy about history and democracy and critical thinking as the professor was. I just can't help but note that the financial crisis of 2008 happened and even more critically as mentioned in Scientific American a presidential candidate has said that "global warming is a Chinese hoax", that statement is void of scientific fact, is absurd and belongs in the nut house, and that candidate seems to divide the world into us verse them, a very anti-enlightenment sentiment. We need to constantly study our past so that we don't make the same mistakes. "Those who don't study the past are doomed to repeat it".
The Professor seamlessly ties together large pieces of history and makes it entertaining while never boring (sometimes he did overwhelm, but that's to be expected since there is a lot of ground covered).
April 5, 2014
On the plus side this course is so very fascinating and exciting, it's hard not to get excited by the speaker's passion and knowledge. I admire a lot his great research and passionate telling of events through history.
On the minus side i found he often fell into the typical traps of historians and got into soft logic and well meaning/sounding things in attempts to either extrapolate causes or propose solutions. He also tries very hard to be politically correct, not offend anybody, call all cultures equal and equally valuable and is occasionally dramatic in the populistic newspaper styles, promoting the values popular in our modern politically correct times.
By the typical historian traps I mean a tendency to see great events originating in individual peoples, great kings/generals or ascribe rises and falls to moral values or cultural currents.
Overall I found it a very entertaining course, and despite the passages of in my opinion less solid reasoning I found the whole course like candy for the student of humanity's past lessons: possibly not the best but delightful to indulge in :D
On the minus side i found he often fell into the typical traps of historians and got into soft logic and well meaning/sounding things in attempts to either extrapolate causes or propose solutions. He also tries very hard to be politically correct, not offend anybody, call all cultures equal and equally valuable and is occasionally dramatic in the populistic newspaper styles, promoting the values popular in our modern politically correct times.
By the typical historian traps I mean a tendency to see great events originating in individual peoples, great kings/generals or ascribe rises and falls to moral values or cultural currents.
Overall I found it a very entertaining course, and despite the passages of in my opinion less solid reasoning I found the whole course like candy for the student of humanity's past lessons: possibly not the best but delightful to indulge in :D
October 27, 2014
Not knowing about this course I picked up the second set of lectures in this series at the local library, as a kind of fill-in while waiting for other audio books I had ordered online. I expected a dry, fact-filled recitation of the usual topics I had heard throughout high school or maybe a college course or two. I was wrong. Professor Bucholz made this interesting, informative and fun. I couldn't wait to get into my car to drive somewhere just to continue with the story. Now I've ordered the rest of the series.
August 16, 2018
I've just spent 45 minutes reading reviews of this very good history survey of the foundations of our (western) civilization (civilisation?)...there are more than 100 (111) going back 10+ years. I've read some gushing, over-the-top praise of Dr Bucholz, followed by those accusing him of political bias, ignorance of economic concepts, too simplified, and (my personal favorite) not knowing east from west. Some reviewers seem to want to rewrite the course in their own words. But, hold on. What are these reviews intended to do? The Teaching Company has gone to great lengths to provide a fine summary and even breaks down each lecture into thumbnail summaries. We reviewers don't need to do it again (admittedly, I've done a bit of that myself).
So I offer this:
- those out there who are interested in taking this course are need to know that the lectures are well-organized and presented by a learned professor who knows his stuff (it's the student's job to fill in the gaps, according to her/his interests).
- they need to know that the lectures cover nearly 700 years (668 years as I write this)...that's about 14 years/30 minute lecture or about 0.46 years/minute. History doesn’t work like that. Any lecturer is bound to miss or overlook something.
- they want to know if they will be entertained as they learn...this is my second time through the lectures. I had a grand time...both times. Maybe you will as well. These lectures are 13 years old, have things changed since they were written? (see lecture 48 for the answers).
- they want a bargain. Watch for sales and coupons. This one takes patience because it's highly rated.
Recommended, audio is good enough.
So I offer this:
- those out there who are interested in taking this course are need to know that the lectures are well-organized and presented by a learned professor who knows his stuff (it's the student's job to fill in the gaps, according to her/his interests).
- they need to know that the lectures cover nearly 700 years (668 years as I write this)...that's about 14 years/30 minute lecture or about 0.46 years/minute. History doesn’t work like that. Any lecturer is bound to miss or overlook something.
- they want to know if they will be entertained as they learn...this is my second time through the lectures. I had a grand time...both times. Maybe you will as well. These lectures are 13 years old, have things changed since they were written? (see lecture 48 for the answers).
- they want a bargain. Watch for sales and coupons. This one takes patience because it's highly rated.
Recommended, audio is good enough.
December 22, 2024
It is easy for a layperson to misunderstand history as a series of geopolitical, military, and revolutionary events. However, the societal developments in metaphysics, political philosophy, religious ideologies, arts including music and literature, psychology, technologies, economic relationships, as well as other aspects of cultural values, are not only critical in understanding those world events and connecting them in a series of strands or a web of progressions, but also important in themselves as aspects of human history. Professor Robert Bucholz did a fantastic job in bringing all of those together and tell an engaging and comprehensive history of the modern Western civilization. It is through his lectures I start to understand the importance of knowing the history, I start to appreciate the relevance of history centuries ago, and I start to feel excited about the subject of history as a field of study. I enjoyed all the details and ideas in the history lessons, and while learning, I could also see that history rhymes in contemporary world events.
April 13, 2019
Having always been interested in European history throughout my teenage years, these set of lectures felt both nostalgic and insightful in the way familiar events and personalities now appeared from the adult viewpoint. Five centuries of formation of national identities and cultures; redivision are influence, power and territories is played out and make you think and appreciate how much knowing this help you explain the realities of modern world; why the English has a special attitude and relationships with their monarchs; why French prefer strong executive powers; why Spain being the first to the colonization ended up lagging behind economically.
And above all who much is of critical historical crossroads ended up this way due simply to chance or random decisions people just like and me.
And above all who much is of critical historical crossroads ended up this way due simply to chance or random decisions people just like and me.
February 25, 2021
A blast to listen to Professor Bucholz is one of my favorite teachers. He has a sense of humor and style along with a vast knowledge of the time and place.
This course gives a good handle on the rise of the modern world. I stopped after the lectures on WW2 as that is where my interest in history generally stops and if the course has a weakness it is on then recent history which is now decades out of date. On the world of the renaissance, reformation, revolutions of science, industry, and peasants. rise of nationalism, and the wars these provoked it would be hard to ask for a better guide.
This course gives a good handle on the rise of the modern world. I stopped after the lectures on WW2 as that is where my interest in history generally stops and if the course has a weakness it is on then recent history which is now decades out of date. On the world of the renaissance, reformation, revolutions of science, industry, and peasants. rise of nationalism, and the wars these provoked it would be hard to ask for a better guide.
September 14, 2021
The narrator is a very good orator - easy to listen to, well-spoken. The earlier part of the history was quite interesting and plugged into the last lecture series I listened to - how did the Middle Ages end and Renaissance began.
4 stars, since a lot of the latter part is very basic too high level. Maybe it would have been worth to leave the lecture series at the end of WWI and have a more in-depth view of WWII and cold war in a separate lecture series.
4 stars, since a lot of the latter part is very basic too high level. Maybe it would have been worth to leave the lecture series at the end of WWI and have a more in-depth view of WWII and cold war in a separate lecture series.
January 19, 2023
My biggest criticism is that a lot of the lectures get mired in King Charles/Louis/Phillip XX won/lost this war, rolled back/pushed forward these reforms, etc. And so much of it gets muddled an an indistinguishable mess in my head. The names and dates thing really doesn't do it for me.
But once the course gets into modern Europe, it becomes more interesting. Possibly because the events are more familiar to me, but also because they seem more memorable or contextualized?
But once the course gets into modern Europe, it becomes more interesting. Possibly because the events are more familiar to me, but also because they seem more memorable or contextualized?
July 12, 2021
Good lecturer, but it felt as though the series was trying to bite off more than it could chew in a pop-science-y sort of way. That said, it is worth reviewing the lecture notes on 19th century developments in the west.
November 22, 2023
Excellent! I listen to these lectures it's free on Audible.
The professor has a clear an nice voice.
The lectures besides the historical facts are thought provoking.
All in all I think this set of historical lectures deserves a 5 Plus.
The professor has a clear an nice voice.
The lectures besides the historical facts are thought provoking.
All in all I think this set of historical lectures deserves a 5 Plus.
April 2, 2018
Robert Bucholz provides a clear evaluation of the ideas that have created the Western perspective of today, by tracing the philosophy and technology developed since the Reformation.
April 3, 2018
Helpful to review for teaching. Wish it had gone more in depth post-WWII.
July 8, 2018
It's a general history of Europe. Exactly what I was looking for and couldn't find some time ago.
January 30, 2021
Part two of a series of lectures on Western civilization, covering the modern era. Definitely comprehensive. I found most interesting the discussion about the interplay with Eastern civilization.
February 10, 2022
Broad over view, very approachable. Fun to see the themes present themselves in way that can get lost when you really dig into the details.
April 25, 2024
Nice survey course on The Great Courses series.
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October 25, 2014Heh, aikamoinen I have a dream -nostatus tossa lopussa, tässä minä nyt niin nöyränä seison ja oottelen myrskyisiä suosionosoituksia. Oottaa saatkin ainakin jos täältä päin oottelet, sillä vähän meni puolella korvalla toi paatos. Mikä siinä on että historian opiskelu tekee monista ihmisistä ihan sietämättömiä? Kai se vaan on niin vaikee olla nöyrä, kun kerta kaikkiaan tietää paremmin. Mulla ei o kyllä siitä pelkoo. Toivottavasti tosta jäi nyt edes jotain pientä päähän (ainakin se great chain of being), sain kuitenkin kuunnellessa ajeltua pitkät matkat ja ommeltua yhden päällystakin, joten jotain näkyvää silti jäi.
December 4, 2013
It seemed quite a great intro. Heavy on some topics, rather light on others, but overall very enjoyable. Except, I must say, for his readings out of various authors, which came out with weird emphases. Anyway. So, it all seemed great.
And then came the last chapter, where he basically spewed out all kinds of inflated self-evident half-truths and emphatic bits of wisdom. I had to tune out. His silly philosophizing on the meaning of civilization left me cold.
Other than that, and up to that point, it does the job very well.
And then came the last chapter, where he basically spewed out all kinds of inflated self-evident half-truths and emphatic bits of wisdom. I had to tune out. His silly philosophizing on the meaning of civilization left me cold.
Other than that, and up to that point, it does the job very well.
June 8, 2015
Listened to the audiobook. The professor, Robert Bucholz was incredible. I was sad to hear the course end and would definitely recommend this course to all interested in Western Civ type courses. Bucholz teaches another Great Course called History of England from the Tudors to the Stuarts which I have not listened to yet. Highly recommended.
May 1, 2014
Great. Perhaps he could have focused a little less on wars and more on artistic and social changes, but it is still a great listen.
June 2, 2014
Western history communicated in a well researched, at times humorous way. Highly recommended!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews