World History is one of the most difficult college-level courses to teach which involves the entire history of humanity. Much of the literature of world history emphasises the differences between regional cultures and local histories, leaving many instructors having to look elsewhere for the similarities that might hold together a global narrative. With decades of combined experience teaching world history, the authors have witnessed first hand the frustration many students experience. Several years have been spent preparing this new approach. This book stands alone, its recurrent and interesting themes give it a unique voice, its format allows the reader to import ideas and themes from unit to another, conceptual bridges that span the many centuries. And while it may not offer flashy multi-colour maps and illustrations, its length and price will speak for itself. Whether you are new to the field or have taught world history for years, this text will help you impart to your students the global perspective, while at the same time providing coverage of the people of each regional culture.
Touraj Daryaee was born in Tehran, Iran in 1967. His elementary and secondary schooling was in Tehran, Iran and Athens, Greece. Daryaee took his Ph.D. in History at the University of California, Los Angeles in 1999. He specializes in the history and culture of Ancient Persia.
His most recent articles include: "History, Epic, and Numismatics: On the Title of Yazdgerd I (Rāmšahr)," Journal of the American Numismatic Society, vol. 14, 2002(2003), pp. 89-95; "Gayōmard: King of Clay or Mountain? The epithet of the First Man in the Zoroastrian Tradition," Paitimāna, Essays in Iranian, Indo-European, and Indian Studies in Honor of Hanns-Peter Schmidt, Mazda Press, 2003, pp. 339-349; "Sight, Semen, and the Brain: Ancient Persian Notions of Physiology in Old and Middle Iranian Texts," The Journal of Indo-European Studies, vol. 30, nos. 1&2, 2002, pp. 1-26; "The Changing 'image of the World': Geography and Imperial Propaganda in Ancient Persia," Electrum, Studies in Ancient History, vol. 6, 2002, pp. 99-109.
His books include Šahrestānīhā ī Ērānšahr, A Middle Persian Text on Late Antique Geography, Epic, and History, Mazda Publishers, Costa Mesa, 2002; History & Culture of the Sasanians, Qoqnoos Press, Tehran, 2003; and Mēnōg ī Xrad: The Spirit of Wisdom, Essays in Memory of Ahmad Tafazzoli, Mazda Publishers, Costa Mesa, 2003. He is also the editor of the Nāme-ye Irān-e Bāstān, The International Journal of Ancient Iranian Studies.
