Western Civilization: A Brief History, Volume II: Since 1500

Spielvogel’s clear, lively, and informative writing style is central to the text’s success with students. Numerous testimonials from professors state that the readability of the text is a primary reason they use it -- an adoption list that ranges from Ivy League universities to two-year technical colleges supports this assertion. Seamless integration of social, cultural, economic, and political history ensures that readers have a balanced understanding of the causes and consequences of events.

Appearing in almost every chapter, “Opposing Viewpoints” features (with questions) present a comparison of two or three primary sources to facilitate student analysis of historical documents. Topics include “The Great Flood: Two Versions” (Ch. 1); “Lords, Vassals, and Samurai in Europe and Japan” (new, Ch. 8); “Causes of the Black Death: Contemporary Views” (new, Ch. 11); “Enlightened Absolutism: Enlightened or Absolute?” (Ch. 18); “Attitudes of the Industrial Middle Class in Britain and Japan” (new, Ch. 20); and “Islam and the West: Secularism in France” (Ch. 30).

“Images of Everyday Life” features combine two or more illustrations with an extended caption to provide insight into different aspects of social life. Topics include “The Egyptian Diet”, “Children in the Roman World”, “Entertainment in the Middle Ages”, “Spices and World Trade”, “Living Conditions of London’s Poor”, “Youth Culture in the 1960s”, and “The New Global Economy: Fast Fashion.”

“Film & History” features provide a brief analysis of the plot as well as the historical significance, value, and accuracy of eleven films, including The Gladiator, The Young Victoria, and a new addition, The Iron Lady.