The Rise of Western Power : A Comparative History of Western Civilization

"In this second edition of The Rise of Western Power, Jonathan Daly retains the broad sweep of his introduction to the history of Western civilization as well as introducing new material into every chapter, enhancing the book's global coverage and engaging with the latest historical debates. The West's history is one of extraordinary success: no other region, empire, culture, or civilization has left so powerful a mark upon the world. Daly charts the West's achievements-representative government, the free enterprise system, modern science, and the rule of law-as well as its misdeeds: two World Wars, the Holocaust, imperialistic domination, and the Atlantic slave trade. Taking us through a series of revolutions, he explores the contributions of other cultures and civilizations to the West's emergence, weaving in historical, geographical, and cultural factors. The new edition also contains more material on themes such as the environment and gender, and additional coverage of India, China and the Islamic world. Daly's engaging narrative is accompanied by timelines, maps and further reading suggestions, along with a companion website featuring study questions, over 100 primary sources and 60 historical maps to enable further study."--.. Cover page Halftitle page Title page Copyright page CONTENTS LIST OF MAPS PREFACE TO THE SECOND EDITION Companion Website Acknowledgments PROLOGUE: WHY THE WEST? Definitions ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Further reading CHAPTER 1 INNOVATION IN WORLD CIVILIZATION Prehistory The Ancient Near East The Classical World Ancient China Other Great Civilizations Astonishing Human Ingenuity A Latecomer CHAPTER 2 CHRONOLOGY CHAPTER 2 MEDIEVAL TRANSFORMATIONS Agricultural Revolution The Rise of Feudal Society Urban Revolution Technological Innovations Commercial Revolution Construction Boom Literary Flowering Women’s Social Status The Divine Comedy and Medieval Culture Music and Art CHAPTER 3 CHRONOLOGY CHAPTER 3 PAPAL REVOLUTION The Early Church The Western Church Reform Builds Revolutions in the Church Revolutions in Learning Revolutions in the Law The Investiture Conflict Spiritual Revolutions in the Church Political Revolutions in Christendom CHAPTER 4 CHRONOLOGY CHAPTER 4 MILITARY REVOLUTIONS Ancient and Early Medieval Warfare Medieval Warfare European Arms Race Infantry Revolution War and the Origins of Representative Government Gunpowder Revolution Revolution in the Nature and Scale of War CHAPTER 5 CHRONOLOGY CHAPTER 5 DISCOVERY OF THE WORLD Migrations Internal Colonization The Crusades World Travelers Global Traders Seafarers and Explorers Conquerors CHAPTER 6 CHRONOLOGY CHAPTER 6 EXPLOSION OF THE PRINTED WORD Icon, Token, Symbol Papyrus, Scroll, Codex Libraries The Printing Revolution Publishing Boom CHAPTER 7 CHRONOLOGY CHAPTER 7 THE REFORMATION The Renaissance Worldly Theologians Voices from Below Luther Social and Political Transformations Christendom Shattered The Foundations of Modern Rights CHAPTER 8 CHRONOLOGY CHAPTER 8 SCIENTIFIC REVOLUTIONS Ancient and Medieval Roots Methods and Approaches Life Science Cosmology Demystifying Nature: Chemistry and Electricity The Enlightenment The Dark Side of Modern Science CHAPTER 9 CHRONOLOGY CHAPTER 9 COMMERCIAL REVOLUTIONS Consumer Revolution Agricultural Revolution Pooling Resources The Banking Revolution Spreading Risk Sharing Information CHAPTER 10 CHRONOLOGY CHAPTER 10 POLITICAL REVOLUTIONS Foundations of Liberty Early European Self-government The English Revolutions The American Revolution France and the Revolutionary Tradition CHAPTER 11 CHRONOLOGY CHAPTER 11 INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION Accumulation of Resources Perfect Conditions Scholarly Disputes Chains of Innovation Diffusion CHAPTER 12 CHRONOLOGY CHAPTER 12 TECHNOLOGICAL REVOLUTION Food Production Harnessing Thunderbolts Flashes of Inspiration Explosions in a Box Revolutions in Chemistry Electronics and Information Revolutions CHAPTER 13 CHRONOLOGY CHAPTER 13 CRISES OF THE WEST Imperialism World War I Totalitarian Ideologies World War II The Cold War CHAPTER 14 CHRONOLOGY CHAPTER 14 SOCIAL REVOLUTIONS The Revolutionary Middle Class Bringing in One-half of Humanity Living Like Lords and Ladies Ending Discrimination Explosion of Rights CONCLUSIONS: A NEW TYPE OF SOCIETY NOTES WORKS CITED INDEX Présentation de l'éditeur : "In this second edition of The Rise of Western Power, Jonathan Daly retains the broad sweep of his introduction to the history of Western civilization as well as introducing new material into every chapter, enhancing the book's global coverage and engaging with the latest historical debates. With an additional focus on China, India and the Muslim world, the result is a volume impressive in its scope and detail." "In this second edition of The Rise of Western Power, Jonathan Daly retains the broad sweep of his introduction to the history of Western civilization as well as introducing new material into every chapter, enhancing the book's global coverage and engaging with the latest historical debates. With an additional focus on China, India and the Muslim world, the result is a volume impressive in its scope and detail"-- Provided by publisher