Books in the Themes in History series

aeo An introductory and comparative textbook which examines the decline of history. aeo Focuses primarily on the decline of European Civilizations from the Ancient world to the present day. aeo Includes several detailed case--studies such as chapters on Ancient Rome, Byzantine, Spain and Portugal.

aeo A lively, accessible introduction to the history of nature and the environment. aeo An outline of the major understandings of a naturea in the western world since classical times from nature as higher authority to its more recent meaning of a threatened form of life.

* broad geographical coverage: covers North America and Africa, as well as Europe * covers contemporary as well as historical witchcraft: reveals witchcraft as an important issue of our times * synthesizes the latest research to provide an accessible and engaging account.

This book offers a comparative analysis of the major systems of servitude present in the world since 1500. Slavery, serfdom, debt bondage, indentured service and convict labour all provided labour and service through the legal subjection of one person to another, but remained very different.

This important book provides a comparative study of the growth and impact of mass literacy across Europe between 1750 and 1950. The volume outlines the main features of the comparative growth of literacy, and relates them to the later growth of electronic media.

Empires and Colonies provides a thoroughgoing and lively exploration of the expansion of the seaborne empires of western Europe from the fifteenth century and how that process of expansion affected the world, including its successor, the United States.

Broad and engaging overview suitable for undergraduates in history, anthropology, cultural studies and fashion studies, as well as the general reader. Explains why we wear what we do, why most people in the world now dress very similarly and why those who resist Western dress do so.

Sexuality in modern western culture is central to identity but the tendency to define by sexuality does not apply to the premodern past.