Title page Copyright page Acknowledgements Introduction Civilizations World systems Global history An overview The narrative THE CLASSICAL ERA PART I: The Primary Concern 1 Global Odyssey 2 Civilized Centres 3 Rulers and Myths The primary concern PART II: The Political Prospect 4 Hostile Encounters 5 Communication Network 6 Global Response The political prospect PART III: The Religious Factor 7 Creeds of Empire 8 Crossing Frontiers 9 Division and Decline The religious factor From Classical to Modern THE MODERN ERA PART IV: New Beginnings 10 Movement of Peoples. 11 Economic Breakthrough12 Church and State New beginnings PART V: Wider Identities 13 Centuries of Empire 14 Tools of Empire 15 Creeds of Empire Wider identities PART VI: Global Tendencies 16 The World Economy 17 Hostile Encounters 18 Communication Network Global tendencies Conclusion Civilization and globalization Economic pressures Political problems The belief factor Phases and factors Bibliography Index.
This short book offers a clear and engaging introduction to the history of humankind, from the earliest movements of people to the contemporary epoch of globalization. Cowen traces this complex history in a manner which offers both a compelling narrative and an analytical and comparative treatment. Drawing on a new perspective on global history, he traces the intersection of change in economics, politics and human beliefs, examining the formation, enlargement and limits of human societies. Global History shows how much of human history encompasses three intersecting forces - trading networks, expanding political empires and crusading creeds.
Abandoning the limits of a Eurocentric view of the world, the book offers a number of fresh insights. Its periodization embraces movement across continents and across the millennia. The indigenous American civilizations are included, for instance. The book also ranges over the early civilizations of China and Europe as well as the Russian and Islamic worlds. Modern American and Japanese civilizations are, in addition, a focus for attention. The author examines national and regional histories in relation to wider themes, sequences and global tendencies. In conclusion, he seeks to address the question of the extent to which a global society is beginning to crystallize.
This short book offers a clear and engaging introduction to the history of humankind, from the earliest movements of people to the contemporary epoch of globalization. Cowen traces this complex history in a manner which offers both a compelling narrative and an analytical and comparative treatment. Drawing on a new perspective on global history, he traces the intersection of change in economics, politics and human beliefs, examining the formation, enlargement and limits of human societies. Global History shows how much of human history encompasses three intersecting forces - trading networks, expanding political empires and crusading creeds. Abandoning the limits of a Eurocentric view of the world, the book offers a number of fresh insights. Its periodization embraces movement across continents and across the millennia. The indigenous American civilizations are included, for instance. The book also ranges over the early civilizations of China and Europe as well as the Russian and Islamic worlds. Modern American and Japanese civilizations are, in addition, a focus for attention. The author examines national and regional histories in relation to wider themes, sequences and global tendencies. In conclusion, he seeks to address the question of the extent to which a global society is beginning to crystallize. Cover 1 Title page 5 Copyright page 6 Contents 7 Acknowledgements 9 Introduction 13 THE CLASSICAL ERA 27 PART I: The Primary Concern 29 1: Global Odyssey: Searching for Subsistence 31 2: Civilized Centres: Settlements Become Permanent 40 3: Rulers and Myths: Preconditions of Stability 47 PART II: The Political Prospect 57 4: Hostile Encounters: The Threat from Outside 59 5: Communication Network: Paths to Coexistence 67 6: Global Response: The Spreading of Empires 73 PART III: The Religious Factor 85 7: Creeds of Empire Conformity and Allegiance 87 8: Crossing Frontiers: Faiths and Universalism 93 9: Division and Decline: Propaganda for Salvation 101 From Classical to Modern 109 THE MODERN ERA 115 PART IV: New Beginnings 117 10: Movement of Peoples: Nomads and New Settlers 119 11: Economic Breakthrough: New Bases of Subsistence 126 12: Church and State: Twin Pillars of Stability 134 PART V: Wider Identities 147 13: Centuries of Empire: Global Impulse Renewed 149 14: Tools of Empire: Technology of Expansion 160 15: Creeds of Empire: Ideologies on the Move 167 PART VI: Global Tendencies 177 16: The World Economy: From Crisis to Growth 179 17: Hostile Encounters: Civilizations at War 187 18: Communication Network: Search for Coexistence 196 Conclusion 206 Bibliography 210 Index 220 * A overview of the history of the world in 200 pages * Written in a lively and accessible way * A great introduction for those who want to have a brief background to the origins and interactions of many cultures * Concludes by exploring the extent to which we now live in a global society. Global History offers a clear and engaging introduction to the history of humankind, from the earliest movements of people to the contemporary epoch of globalisation Noel Cowen. Includes Bibliographic References (p. [199]-207) And Index.
