Customer Reviews

The West: Encounters & Transformations, Volume A (to 1550) (2nd Edition)

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This textbook has some advantages in terms of considering the "significance" of historical events and phenomena, but it suffers severely in terms of basic details and even offers inaccurate phrasing of important historical data. Admirably, the textbook hammers home the concept of cultural identity through its coverage of many different periods and peoples. This is not the only theme it highlights, but also attempts to give significant space to other sorts of "significance" of historical events--giving students some interesting perspective beyond the facts and figures.

Unfortunately, it offers poor explanation of the details, revealing an ignorance of current scholarship (one need not talk like a scholar for a textbook, but should reflect the best scholarship). We used this textbook in a course on Western Civilization, for which I was a Teaching Assistant. My own specialty is in Christian origins. Thus I noticed inaccuracies in that area. For instance, Jesus is described as the "founder of Christianity." Rather than discuss the pastoral and occasional nature of Paul's letters, the textbook states that his letters "articulate key doctrines of the Christian faith--doctrines that helped divide Christianity from Judaism." The description is generally unhelpful and the term "doctrine" anachronistic (implying a later "system" of doctrines). Students get an image of Jesus founding a new religion from scratch and Paul making certain that the two (supposedly distinct) religions are clearly divided. These things may have happened much later, but is inaccurate regarding the first century situation.

My fellow Teaching Assistants noted similar inaccuracies and missing data in their own fields, such as Ancient Greece and Rome. We noticed that much data is missing in favor of more explanation of "significance." It is my opinion that a textbook like this should provide a firmer foundation of data.

Furthermore, the book fails in terms of its basic "tools" for students. The index is spotty, missing out on important terms (the Egyptian concept of Ma'at, for instance), and sometimes even incorrect pagination. The glossary of terms is quite weak in its selection of terms. For example, out of the sixty or so terms required of students in one course on Western Civilization for their exam (*central* names and events), less than ten appear in the Glossary. The boxes offering lists of dates often miss important events in the timeline. Such weaknesses make exam study for students very difficult.

I have not used many other textbooks on Western Civilization, but Civilization in the West by Kishlansky/Geary/O'Brien (same publisher) is a much better option (even if its maps are not quite as attractive as Levack).

This textbook is not only written in a conversational tone which holds the reader's attention, but it brings in art, personalities of historical figures, and other tidbits to enhance a student's learning experience. The illustrations used are fantastic and can spur students to delve further into many subjects. History should be exciting as evidenced by this book!

Bought this for my Humanities I class. It has helped me understand some of the events we talk about in class and the geography of the regions we're studying.

The book arrived in the exact condition that the seller said it would be in, it shipped and arrived even sooner than anticipated. I am very happy with this order.

My problem with the book was its overt explanation that women did not have equal rights in just about every other page. Over over and over again the authors hammer in how women were not treated equally. The authors also give a pass to female assassins and traitors as being "feminists" and suffragists just fighting for political rights. Just about every Justice and Different Voices section covers these issues.

College student satisfied with textbook The West: Encounters & Transformations, Volume 2 (3rd edition). Arrived in a timely manner before student had to leave for college.

This textbook is quite "text-booky" in the sense that there is a ton of names and dates, hardly any organization whatsoever... either way, I'm a good learner. I love history but I found the textbook to be boring and not helpful.

Length:: 0:23 Mins