A World History

by McNeill, William H.

• ISBN13: 9780195116168
• ISBN10: 019511616X
• Additional ISBN(s): 9780195025545, 9780195025552
• Edition: 4th
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 1998-10-29
• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• More Book Details

About This Book

A World History by William H. McNeill is a comprehensive textbook that offers a global perspective on the history of the world. This fourth edition, published in 1998, is a widely acclaimed resource for students and educators alike, providing an in-depth exploration of the four Old World civilizations: the Middle East, India, China, and Europe.

Who Uses It?

Primarily, this book is used by students and instructors in introductory world history courses at the college and university levels. It is also a valuable resource for anyone interested in understanding the broader context of global history, including professionals looking to refresh their knowledge or expand their understanding of historical events and cultural developments.

History and Editions

The fourth edition of A World History has been updated to address user feedback, incorporating the latest research and discussions on historical events and cultural interactions. This edition includes detailed updates on historical accuracy and representation, ensuring that it remains current and relevant for modern students. The book's global scope and emphasis on interconnectedness make it an essential reference for anyone studying world history.

Author and Other Works

William H. McNeill is a renowned historian known for his engaging and accessible writing style. He has written several influential books on world history, including The Rise of the West and Plagues and Peoples. His work in A World History reflects his deep understanding of historical processes and his ability to explain complex concepts clearly and simply.

Key Features

• Global Perspective: The book emphasizes the interconnectedness of global civilizations, providing a holistic view of world history.
• Comprehensive Coverage: It covers major historical events, cultural developments, and the evolution of societies across the world.
• Historical Accuracy: The fourth edition includes detailed updates on historical accuracy, ensuring that the information is reliable and up-to-date.
• Accessible Writing Style: McNeill's writing style makes the book an enjoyable read for students of all levels.

Detailed Information

ISBNs and Formats

• Paperback: ISBN-13: 9780195116168
• Other Editions: The book is available in other formats, but the primary focus here is on the paperback edition.

Publication Details

• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• Publication Date: October 29, 1998
• Number of Pages: 656 pages
• Language: English

Other Editions and Formats

While there are no other specific ISBNs listed for different formats of this book, it is available in various forms through different retailers. For example:

• eCampus.com: Offers rental options for the book.
• Barnes & Noble: Lists the book in paperback format.
• Biblio.com: Provides details on the fourth edition in paperback.

Related ISBNs

For clarity, here are some related ISBNs that might be useful for finding additional formats or editions:

• Hardcover: Not explicitly listed but may be available through various retailers.
• eTextbook: Not available as an eTextbook with this ISBN.
• Loose-leaf: Not explicitly listed but may be available through various retailers.

Additional Resources

For students and instructors looking to supplement their learning experience, here are some additional resources:

• Oxford University Press Website: Provides detailed information about the book, including reviews and updates.
• Academic Resources: Many academic institutions offer this book as a required text for world history courses.

By providing this detailed information, eCampus.com can enhance the user experience for visitors seeking comprehensive educational resources.

Table of Contents

Preface to the Fourth Edition	XIII	(2)
Preface	XV
PART I Emergence and Definition of the Major Old World Civilizations to 500 B.C.	1	(126)
1 In the Beginning	7	(15)
2 Diffusion of Civilization: First Phase to 1700 B.C.	22	(26)
3 Cosmopolitanism in the Middle East 1700-500 B.C.	48	(28)
4 The Definition of Indian Civilization to 500 B.C.	76	(13)
5 The Definition of Greek Civilization to 500 B.C.	89	(13)
6 The Definition of Chinese Civilization to 500 B.C.	102	(11)
7 Changes in the Barbarian World 1700-500 B.C.	113	(14)
Bibliographical Essay, Part I	120	(7)
PART II Equilibrium Among the Civilizations 500 B.C.--A.D. 1500	127	(166)
8 The Flowering of Greek Civilization 500-336 B.C.	133	(16)
9 The Spread of Hellenistic Civilization 500 B.C.--A.D. 200	149	(17)
10 Asia 500 B.C.--A.D. 200	166	(14)
11 The Flowering and Expansion of Indian Civilization A.D. 200-600	180	(14)
12 Barbarian Invasions and Civilized Response A.D. 200-600	194	(16)
13 The Rise of Islam	210	(11)
14 China, India, and Europe A.D. 600-1000	221	(18)
15 The Impact of Turkish and Mongol Conquests 1000-1500	239	(17)
16 Medieval Europe and Japan 1000-1500	256	(17)
17 The Fringes of the Civilized World to 1500	273	(20)
Bibliographical Essay, Part II	283	(10)
PART III The Dominance of the West	293	(118)
18 The Great Discoveries and Their World-Wide Consequences	301	(8)
19 Europe's Self-Transformation 1500-1648	309	(18)
20 Europe's Outliers: Russia and the Americas 1500-1648	327	(10)
21 The Realm of Islam, with Its Hindu and Christian Subject Communities 1500-1700	337	(14)
22 The Far East 1500-1700	351	(8)
23 The Old Regime in Europe 1648-1789	359	(18)
24 The Americas and Russia 1648-1789	377	(12)
25 Asian Reactions to Europe's Old Regime 1700-1850	389	(22)
Bibliographical Essay, Part III	405	(6)
PART IV The Onset of Global Cosmopolitanism	411	(150)
26 The Transformation of Western Civilization by the Industrial and Democratic Revolutions 1789-1914	417	(24)
27 Asian Reactions to Industrialism and Democracy 1850-1945	441	(27)
28 Africa and Oceania 1850-1945	468	(22)
29 The Western World 1914-1945	490	(26)
30 Global Rivalries and Cosmopolitanism Since 1945	516	(45)
Bibliographical Essay, Part IV	553	(8)
Index	561
TEXT MAPS
Early Mesopotamia	14
Emergence of Pastoralism c. 3000 B.C.	24
Ancient Egypt	28
Ancient Indus Sites	33
Transition to Rain-Watered lands	39
Charioteers' Expansion 1700-1400 B.C.	51
Ancient Middle East c. 1200 B.C.	55
The Cavalry Revolution 800-500 B.C.	60
Hebrew Palestine	70
Ancient Greek World	95
Ancient China 500-300 B.C.	108
Athenian Empire c. 432 B.C.	136
Growth of the Roman Empire	159
Mauryan Empire	167
Unification of China	169
Central Asian Empires c. A.D. 400	182
Greater India A.D. 400-600	189
Justinian's Empire c. 565	199
Restoration of China's Unity	201
Rise of Islam 622-733	212
Carolingians 800-900	233
European Counter-Offensive 1000-1100	235
Moslem Domination of Orthodox Christendom to 1453	252
Expansion of Medieval Europe to c. 1492	258
Africa c. 1500	276
Amerindian Civilization c. 1500	281
Reforpation and Counter-Reformation	322
Empires of Asia c. 1600-1700	339
Tokugawa Japan from 1603	357
Europe 1648-1789	362
Colonial America c. 1789	380
Russia in 1795	387
British Acquisition of India	394
Europe Under Napoleon 1799-1812	430
Realm of Islam Since 1850	448
European Penetration of Africa to 1914	477
European Penetration of the Pacific 1740-1914	488
World War II in Europe 1941-1945	505
Far East and Pacific 1941-1945	507
The Cold War in Europe--1970	519
New Nations Since 1945	522-23
Europe, after the Cold War, 1991	536
CHRONOLOGICAL CHARTS
From the Beginning to 100 B.C.	5
From 500 B.C. to A.D. 1500	130-31
From A.D. 1400 to the Present	296-97
LIST OF PLATES
The Development of Greek Sculpture BETWEEN PAGES 176 AND 177
1: Stele of Aristion
2: Poseidon
3: Head of the Athena Lemnia
4: Portrait of an Unknown Roman
5: Portrait of a Roman Lady
6: Crowned Female Head
7: Bust of Marcus Aurelius
8: Portrait of Eutropus
The Radiation and Transformation of Greek Sculpture BETWEEN PAGES 176 AND 177
9: Helvetian Head from Aventicum
10: (a) Athena or Roma
(b) Buddha from Lahore
11: (a) Buddha from Shensi
(b) Buddha from Honan
12: Siddharta Fasting
13: Didarganj Yakshi
The Development and Radiation of Indian Architecture BETWEEN PAGES 176 AND 177
14: Temple No. XVII, Sanchi
15: Malegitti Sivalaya Temple, Badam
16: Parasuramesvara Temple, Bhuvanesvara
BETWEEN PAGES 274 AND 275
17: Muktesvara Temple, Bhuvanesvara
18: Muktesvara Temple, sighara, Bhuvanesvara, detail
19: Woman with a mirror, Bhuvanesvara or Khajuraho
20: View of the Great Temple Compound, Bhuvanesvara
21: Candi Puntadeva, Dieng Plateau, Java
22: Stupa, near Kathmandu, Nepal
23: The Temple of Shiva, Lara-Djonggrang, Prmbanan
24: Angkor Wat, Cambodia
Chinese, Mongol, Persian, and Mughal Painting BETWEEN PAGES 274 AND 275
25: Ma Yuan, Two Sages and an Attendant Under a Spreading Plum Tree
26: Ma Fen (attributed), The Hundred Geese
27: (a) Liang K'ai, The Poet Li T'ai-po
(b) Mu Ch'i, Persimmons
28: Tung Yuan, Clear Weather in the Valley
29: Bihzad, King Darius Reproved by His Herdsman
30: Serpent
31: Illustration from the Romance of Amir Hamzah
32: Prince Dara Shikuh and His Son
European Art and Society BETWEEN PAGES 372 AND 373
33: Christ Pancrator
34: Giotto, The Resurrection of Lazarus
35: Piero della Francesca, Resurrection of Christ
36: Durer, Self-Portrait
37: Durer, Knight, Death, and the Devil
38: St. Nicholas the Wonder Worker
39: El Greco, St. Jerome
40: Rembrandt, Syndics of the Cloth Guild
41: Perronneau, Madame de Sorquainville
42: David, Une Maraichere
43: Goya, The Third of May, 1808
44: Daumier, The Third-Class Carriage
45: (a) Sargent, Asher Wertheimer
(b) Sargent, Mrs. Asher Wertheimer
46: Shahn, Liberation
47: Miro, Person Throwing a Stone at a Bird
48: Moore, Nuclear Energy
Architecture in the Industrial Era BETWEEN PAGES 472 AND 473
49: (a) Theatre de l'Opera, Paris. Charles Garnier
(b) The Houses of Parliament, London. Sir Charles Barry
50: The Crystal Palace, London. Joseph Paxton
51: (a) GUM, Moscow
(b) Carson Pirie Scott & Co., Chicago. Louis Sullivan
52: Wainwright Building, St. Louis. Louis Sullivan
53: Woolworth Building, New York. Cass Gilbert
54: Bauhaus, Dessau. Walter Gropius
55: Johnson Wax Research Tower, Racine, Wisconsin. Frank Lloyd Wright
56: Interior Department, Washington, D.C.
57: (a) Moscow State University
(b) Luitpold Hall, Nuremberg. Albert Speer
58: Seagram Building, New York. Ludwig Mies Van der Rohe and Philip Johnson
59: (a) Kalinin Prospect, Moscow
(b) The Congress, Brasilia. Oscar Niemeyer
60: (a) United States Pavilion, Expo '67, Montreal. Buckminster Fuller
(b) Palace of the Assembly, Chandigarh, India. Le Corbusier
61: TWA Terminal Building, New York. Eero Saarinen
62: (a) National Gymnasium, Tokyo. Kenzo Tange
(b) Museum of Anthropology, Mexico. Pedro Ramirez Vazquez
63: Housing, Djennan-el-Hassan, Algeria. Roland Simounet
64: Midtown Manhattan, New York