Books in the Themes in World History series

Features some of the greatest travellers in human history - people who undertook long journeys to places they knew little or nothing about. This work provides an overview of long-distance travel in Afro-Eurasia from around 400BCE to 1500. It examines the development of early travel, trade and cultural interchange between China, India, and others.

Modern Travel in World History uses three themes ¿ technology, mass movements, and travellers ¿ to examine the history of the modern world from the fifteenth-century transatlantic explorations to the impact of the global COVID pandemic of the 21st century.

Looks at farming in early civilizations - from ancient Mesopotamia and Egypt to early China and India - and asks how it is that since farmers have played a critical role in the fate of the species that they have never enjoyed high social status.

This volume provides a concise introduction to the diverse ideas about disease and its treatment throughout the world. Drawing on case studies from ancient Egypt to 21st-century America and Europe, this survey discusses concepts of sickness and forms of treatment in different cultures.

Covering the last five hundred years of global history, this title examines the processes that have transformed the Earth and put growing pressure on natural resources.

Taking a comparative approach, Alan T. Wood traces the evolution of democracy from its origins in prehistoric times, and describes democratic growth in 13 Asian countries from Japan in East Asia to Pakistan in South Asia.

The history of the Indian Ocean provides a snapshot of many of the key issues in world history.

Exploring overarching themes in a comparative context, this title provides a survey of the history of the Jewish people from biblical antiquity to the present.

Western Civilization in World History takes up the recent debates about the well-established 'Western civ' approach versus the newer field of world history. Stearns reviews and analyzes key aspects of Western civilization in a global context.

Poverty is a perennial problem in world history, but over time, its causes have shifted from issues like disasters or warfare to more global economic issues. Focusing upon the period from around 1500 onwards, this book uses the process of globalisation as the chief lens through which to study and understand poverty in world history.

Examines the key theme of trading in world history, from the earliest signs of trade until the long-distance trade systems such as the famous Silk Road were firmly established. This book traces the development of long-distance trade, from its beginnings in the Paleolithic and Neolithic periods through early river valley civilizations.

From the origins of drinking to the use and abuse of alcohol in the present day, this title draws on approaches and research from biology, anthropology, sociology and psychology. It contains chapters that include: the impact of colonialism alcohol before the world economy industrialization and alcohol.

Draws on research of the consumer experience in the West and Japan, while examining societies less renowned for consumerism, such as Africa. This second edition forces the reassessment of our understanding of both consumerism and global history. Aimed at students of world history, it includes the changes involved in trying to bolster consumerism.

Presents an introductory survey of the history of the United States, from 1790. Part of the "Themes in World History" series, this book reveals how concepts that originated in American's definition of itself as a nation - concepts such as capitalism, republicanism and race - have had supranational impact across the world.

A wide ranging overview of the history of modern sports including material on sports organizations, the commercialisation of sports and the use of performance-enhancing drugs.

Examines the value of religion for interpreting the human experience in the past and present. This book explores the elements of religion which best connect it to the cultural and political dynamics that have influenced history.

Despite the catastrophic effects of war, wars have also proved to be instrumental to long-term change in world history. This text is the first of its kind to survey how warfare has developed from ancient times to the present day.

This broad comparative survey focuses on five big case studies, starting with the English Revolutions in the Seventeenth century, and going on to the Mexican, Russian, Vietnamese and Iranian Revolutions.

Revised edition of the author's Sexuality in world history, 2009.