The Twentieth-Century World and Beyond: An International History since 1900 [Paperback]

William R. Keylor (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0195168437 | ISBN-13: 978-0195168433 | Publication Date: November 24, 2005 | Edition: 5

The Twentieth-Century World and Beyond: An International History Since 1900, Fifth Edition, explores the history of modern relations between the U.S., Europe, Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East. The book's unique analytical framework--which focuses on the relationships between these countries rather than on their individual histories--helps readers to easily examine how the nations of the world have interacted since the beginning of the last century. Extensively revised in this fifth edition, The Twentieth-Century World and Beyond reflects the latest scholarship and also features photographs for the first time--more than fifty throughout the text. The new edition addresses such issues as refugees and stateless persons, human rights, the environment, and the events of September 11, 2001. Updated to include the war on terrorism, military action in Iraq, and the causes and consequences of globalization, this edition also explores the expanding role of nongovernmental organizations, the threat of AIDS to world order, narcotics trafficking, and environmental degradation. Examining a wide range of countries, The Twentieth-Century World and Beyond, Fifth Edition, is ideal for undergraduate and graduate courses in twentieth-century international history, twentieth-century world history, and international relations.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"[Keylor's] treatment of the second 30 years' war is crisp, concise and authoritative. He covers a vast range of material, and manages to present a cogent narrative of great clarity. He wears his learning lightly, but there is no doubt about the learning that lies behind the text. It is a formidable achievement. ... I rarely use textbooks, but will make an exception for this one." --Jay Winter, Charles J. Stille Professor of History, Yale University

"I consider this an outstanding textbook, surveying the development of twentieth century international affairs in great detail. The author's lucid style makes even the most complicated diplomatic issues comprehensible."--Akira Iriye, Harvard University

"Blends broad coverage with consistent and clear argumentation. Rather than simply narrating the course of the twentieth century, Keylor shows how economic and strategic considerations drove conflict and peacemaking in different contexts."--Jeremi Suri, University of Wisconsin-Madison

Praise for previous editions

"A remarkable accomplishment. Eloquently written and global in coverage, it represents the best example of the new international history. Integrating the economic, strategic, political, ideological, historical, and cultural elements of contemporary world politics, Keylor's analyses of people and institutions, and of short- and long-term phenomena, are both lucid and wise."--Carole Fink, The Ohio State University

"The best single text on international relations in our tumultuous century available on the market today. The author offers comprehensive coverage and provides balanced judgments. He grounds his work solidly in the best historical methodology, evincing sensitivity to the contributions of allied disciplines. The writing is clear and felicitous."--Stephen A. Schuker, University of Virginia

"A fine survey--wonderfully balanced and comprehensive!"--Ernest May, Harvard University

"There may be certain rivals to The Twentieth-Century World in bookshops and libraries, but there is nothing superior to it....The style is pleasing and extremely lucid, and the emphasis on economic and geopolitical trends is greatly to be welcomed....An excellent synthetic work, and one which can be recommended to students and to interested laymen alike."--Paul Kennedy, Yale University

About the Author

William R. Keylor, Professor of History and International Relatons, Boston University.

Product Details

• Paperback: 576 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA; 5 edition (November 24, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0195168437
• ISBN-13: 978-0195168433
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.5 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #261,120 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "The Book of the Century", October 3, 1998

By 

[e-mail] (Jackson, MI) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Twentieth Century World: An International History (Hardcover)

Dr. Keylor portrays the political, diplomatic and military history of the twentieth century in the most understandable and straightforward language. He shows how history is responsible for what is currently happening around us, and why we should know the causes of the conflicts he writes about. He pays special attention to World War One, the rise of facism, World War Two, the rise of the Cold War, Latin America and the US, Africa, the Cold War in Asia, Israel and the Middle East, the triumph of and expansion of capitalism throughout Latin America and East Asia, the end of the Cold War, arms control and many other topics. The book is a very valuable reference for any student of law, international relations, politics or anyone else who wants to know more about the world that we live in.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Insightful, Didactic and Enjoyable, May 15, 1998

By 

[e-mail] (Hong Kong) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Twentieth Century World: An International History (Paperback)

This concrete account of international relations in the twentieth century stands out in its clarity and coherence. And unlike many history books, it's not BORING, perhaps because it offers more than merely a narrative account; it is also set within an analytical framework. My attention was thoroughly held as Professor Keylor imparted his insight into the struggle among the major nations in the world for power, prosperity and prestige. Everything seemed to click into place, and the chapters just flow into one another. As Paul Kennedy said of it: " ...The style is pleasing and extremely lucid, and the emphasis on economic and geopolitical trends is greatly to be welcomed... An excellent synthetic work, and one which can be recommended to students and to interested laymen alike."

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Probably What You're Looking For, March 26, 2003

By 

Aaron Reinhardt (Sudbury, Ontario Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Twentieth-Century World: An International History (Paperback)

The Twentieth-Century World: An International History, by Dr. William R. Keylor, has been recognized as one of the foremost sources for a historical account of the twentieth century by several professors, students, and other applicable parties alike, and for good reason. There are several factors to take into account when determining the merit of such a text, including the tenability of the text, the efficiency of its organization, the cogency of its material, and its physical practicalities in terms of design and dimension, not to mention the price. This text is an assessment, in narrative form of twentieth-century world history which provides comprehensive coverage of affairs related to the United States, Latin America, Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and Asia, all of which is up to date as recently as the year two thousand. Dr. Keylor presents the political, diplomatic and military history of the twentieth century while putting an appropriate significance on the effects of economics as well as on the bearing that geopolitics has over a country, both of which are often overlooked. In doing so, this text sheds light on important yet presumably subtle factors that have played important roles in the development of twentieth-century international history. While this account of international relations in the twentieth century is not only concise and depicted with convincing sensibility, Dr. Keylor manages to accomplish this with coherency and clarity, which substantiates a prepossessing flow from page to page. Perhaps one of the most appealing factors of this text is the language, which is straightforward and understandable without diminishing the quality of the material or compromising its effectiveness. In fact, this method likely affords Dr. Keylor to reach a wider audience that ranges from the individual with only an intermediate comprehension, to the educated and experienced history buff. Furthermore, another important element of this text is its ability to cover the history of the twentieth century concisely and clearly, in an intense analytical framework without boring the reader. This fact is among many of the others which separate it from many of its rivals.