The Rise of the West: A History of the Human Community (Paperback)

~ William McNeill (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

This is one of the works that Gress criticizes as an example of the Grand Narrative. And, in the retrospective essay contained in this most recent edition, McNeill does acknowledge the "cultural imperialism" of the scope and conception of the work as well as some of the other weaknesses. However, it still remains an informative overview suitable for high school as well as college and public libraries.
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Description

The Rise of the West, winner of the National Book Award for history in 1964, is famous for its ambitious scope and intellectual rigor. In it, McNeill challenges the Spengler-Toynbee view that a number of separate civilizations pursued essentially independent careers, and argues instead that human cultures interacted at every stage of their history. The author suggests that from the Neolithic beginnings of grain agriculture to the present major social changes in all parts of the world were triggered by new or newly important foreign stimuli, and he presents a persuasive narrative of world history to support this claim.

In a retrospective essay titled "The Rise of the West after Twenty-five Years," McNeill shows how his book was shaped by the time and place in which it was written (1954-63). He discusses how historiography subsequently developed and suggests how his portrait of the world's past in The Rise of the West should be revised to reflect these changes.

"This is not only the most learned and the most intelligent, it is also the most stimulating and fascinating book that has ever set out to recount and explain the whole history of mankind. . . . To read it is a great experience. It leaves echoes to reverberate, and seeds to germinate in the mind."—H. R. Trevor-Roper, New York Times Book Review

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Product Details Paperback: 860 pages Publisher: University Of Chicago Press (January 1, 1992) Language: English ISBN-10: 0226561410 ISBN-13: 978-0226561417 Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 1.6 inches Shipping Weight: 2.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies) Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews) Amazon.com Sales Rank: #59,618 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books) Popular in this category: (What's this?) #21 in  Books > History > Historical Study > Civilization & Culture

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Customer Reviews

13 Reviews 5 star:  (8) 4 star:  (3) 3 star:  (1) 2 star:  (1) 1 star:    (0)           Average Customer Review 4.4 out of 5 stars (13 customer reviews)		Share your thoughts with other customers:
Most Helpful Customer Reviews 67 of 68 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars A brilliant insight on the development of human civilization, April 23, 1999 By A Customer The insights into how and why certain developments took place in history that are presented in this book make it fascinating. It spans the early civilizations of the Middle East to modern times and the rise of Communism and totalitarianism, dealing with topics like art, literature, political systems, and religion, and how all these things tied together to shape history. One of the best aspects of the book is the way it provides insights into how developments in one civilization affected others. The way it shifts views from one major civilization to another and spans thousands of years gives the reader a sense of perspective and a realization of the depth and complexity of history. Besides the high scholarly value of the book, the writing style is excellent and easy to read. I luckily ran into it and read it purely by chance, only to learn later that it is considered a history classic. 39 of 41 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars A fascinating story on the interplay of civilizations, December 4, 1998 By A Customer This is an excellent Eurocentric history. McNeill acknowledges his Eurocentrism in his retrospective introduction and provides an excellent critique of his own book: he underplays the significance of Chinese and other civilizations east of the Oxus. Regardless, McNeill expounds a sound theory that civilizations didn't evolve in isolation, but that the interplay of different cultures enabled their progress. McNeill weaves migrations, conquests, international trade, and technological innovations into a riveting story on how modern civilization rose from the fields of the fertile crescent. The book reads like an epic novel -- albeit with lots of footnotes -- in that it weaves over 5,000 years of history into a single story. This has been the most fascinating history book I have ever read. 47 of 53 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars The West Rises, March 5, 2002 By  unraveler "unraveler" (Nevada) - See all my reviews McNeill belongs to that category of historians who not only bring an enormous treasure chest of knowledge, but who present it in a writing style so direct and compelling that the reader cannot help but admire their work. "The Rise of the West" is a monumental book. McNeill's knowledge of histroy, of facts, his erudition--all leave the reader in a kind of suspense and disbelief. Can one man know this much? Apparently he can. McNeill's vast lore is a proof of commitment to scholarship and historical discovery. Whether or not the West has a special status and a claim to a special place in human civilization (as I believe it does) is something that is for you, the reader, to decide. McNeill makes his arguments and then reasses them years later in this new edition; and he is less upbeat about the special position of the West. But that is theory, perspective, possibility, interpretation. Whatever interpretation you embrace, you won't regret reading this book for its facts, its comprehensive narrative, and its gift of widening historical perspectives and imagination.		Ad feedback   Most Recent Customer Reviews 5.0 out of 5 stars Still Relevant, Highly Readable, Fair I agree that Wm. McNeill is far more contemporary and balanced than I might have expected for a 1963 book subtitled "A History of the Human Community". Read more Published 5 months ago by Taylor Rand 5.0 out of 5 stars Complementary readings to McNeill's masteful book There are already several good reviews on this book, so, on the vexing question of why Western countries have dominated the world during the last few centuries (the very way the... Read more Published 6 months ago by César González Rouco 4.0 out of 5 stars well worth the read Although this book is somewhat dated I found it to be very readable and informative,in the introduction to this current publication the author clearly lays out any of the works... Read more Published 17 months ago by Edward F. Dowd 4.0 out of 5 stars Good, but a little outdated I'm a brazilian, (unemployed) agronomist, single and 35 years old today.I read this book, here in Brazil, some years ago.It's a great book, both on size, as in ideas. Read more Published on February 27, 2006 by Dalton C. Rocha 4.0 out of 5 stars Somewhat outdated, but still worth while McNeill calls American Indians and Africans little more than the victims of the West in this book. He explains that they have little role in the development of culture (which he... Read more Published on December 22, 2005 by Eric Maroney 3.0 out of 5 stars A mostly worthy text For those interested in world civilization, "The Rise of the West" is a concise, enjoyable work written in 1963 that reflects the views and available scholarship of a erudite... Read more Published on August 11, 2005 by Reader 5.0 out of 5 stars A masterpiece, rendered in a noble voice This epic magesterial volume deserves no less than to be required reading for all citizens of the Western World. Read more Published on January 27, 2002 by Rafael Olivas 5.0 out of 5 stars The book most influential on my life I've read this book 3 times so far. The history given here is very different from the version I learned in school and in church and from my parents. Read more Published on December 30, 2001 by brparsley 5.0 out of 5 stars What did you expect? To the reader criticizing the "Eurocentrism" of this book, with a title like "Rise of the West" what did you expect? Read more Published on December 16, 2001 by John Link 2.0 out of 5 stars nothing groundbreaking here.. Read "THE DECLINE OF THE WEST" instead if you're interested in a deeper perspective of world-history. The Eurocentrism of this book is old hat. Published on October 22, 2001 Search Customer Reviews Only search this product's reviews

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Product Details

• Paperback: 860 pages
• Publisher: University Of Chicago Press (January 1, 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0226561410
• ISBN-13: 978-0226561417
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 1.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #59,618 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in this category: (What's this?)

  #21 in

  Books > History > Historical Study > Civilization & Culture

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

67 of 68 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A brilliant insight on the development of human civilization, April 23, 1999

By A Customer

The insights into how and why certain developments took place in history that are presented in this book make it fascinating. It spans the early civilizations of the Middle East to modern times and the rise of Communism and totalitarianism, dealing with topics like art, literature, political systems, and religion, and how all these things tied together to shape history. One of the best aspects of the book is the way it provides insights into how developments in one civilization affected others. The way it shifts views from one major civilization to another and spans thousands of years gives the reader a sense of perspective and a realization of the depth and complexity of history. Besides the high scholarly value of the book, the writing style is excellent and easy to read. I luckily ran into it and read it purely by chance, only to learn later that it is considered a history classic.

39 of 41 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A fascinating story on the interplay of civilizations, December 4, 1998

By A Customer

This is an excellent Eurocentric history. McNeill acknowledges his Eurocentrism in his retrospective introduction and provides an excellent critique of his own book: he underplays the significance of Chinese and other civilizations east of the Oxus.

Regardless, McNeill expounds a sound theory that civilizations didn't evolve in isolation, but that the interplay of different cultures enabled their progress. McNeill weaves migrations, conquests, international trade, and technological innovations into a riveting story on how modern civilization rose from the fields of the fertile crescent. The book reads like an epic novel -- albeit with lots of footnotes -- in that it weaves over 5,000 years of history into a single story.

This has been the most fascinating history book I have ever read.

47 of 53 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The West Rises, March 5, 2002

By	unraveler "unraveler" (Nevada) - See all my reviews

McNeill belongs to that category of historians who not only bring an enormous treasure chest of knowledge, but who present it in a writing style so direct and compelling that the reader cannot help but admire their work. "The Rise of the West" is a monumental book. McNeill's knowledge of histroy, of facts, his erudition--all leave the reader in a kind of suspense and disbelief. Can one man know this much? Apparently he can. McNeill's vast lore is a proof of commitment to scholarship and historical discovery. Whether or not the West has a special status and a claim to a special place in human civilization (as I believe it does) is something that is for you, the reader, to decide. McNeill makes his arguments and then reasses them years later in this new edition; and he is less upbeat about the special position of the West. But that is theory, perspective, possibility, interpretation. Whatever interpretation you embrace, you won't regret reading this book for its facts, its comprehensive narrative, and its gift of widening historical perspectives and imagination.