World History in Brief, Single Volume Edition

With its brief, global (rather than West-centered) approach, World History in Brief, Sixth Edition, seeks to show how different civilizations developed in a global context.

Rather than overwhelm students, the chief goal of World History in Brief is to present the big picture, to facilitate comparison and assessment of change, and to highlight the major developments in the world's history. This text also emphasizes the global interactions of major civilizations so that students can compare and assess changes in the patterns of interaction and the impact of global forces such as migration and technology exchange. The compact size of this text gives instructors the opportunity to take advantage of additional supplementary readings.

Features

• With its brief size and streamlined narrative, this book offers a fascinating overview of global history and allows instructors to easily supplement their course with additional sources or supplemental readings.
• “History Debates,” included in every chapter, offer students a brief synopsis of some topic about which historians are currently debating. Topics include, “Why did slavery end when it did?” “What was the impact of guns on the early modern world?” Students get an opportunity to engage in questions actively being debated by historians in the present day.
• “World Profiles” in most chapters highlight the lives of selected subjects and provide additional emphasis on the human component of world history. Each profile explores an individual's history and shows how that person's story illuminates aspects of their time and society.
• “Understanding Culture” features throughout the text explore fascinating cultural issues in world history such as the unique cultural aspects of certain societies, how cultures have evolved, and the nature of cultural contact. Topics include, “Comparing Systems of Belief” and “Adapting Consumer Values.”
• “Key Questions” following each chapter introduction guide students through the critical concepts in world history that give them a full understanding of global topics.
• Chapter-ending “Issues and Connections” sections reiterate the main issues raised and show how developments covered in each chapter relate to patterns present today. These sections stimulate vigorous class discussion and show students the relevance of studying world history.