Product Description
Join over one million students who have used Spielvogel's texts to be successful in their Western Civilization course! There's a reason WESTERN CIVILIZATION is the best seller: it makes the "story of history" come alive. Spielvogel's text is also loaded with extras, like "Film and History" features that show you a new approach to studying history. Colorful maps and visuals, plus dramatic first-hand historical accounts, combine to bring to life the stories of the people and events that have shaped Western civilization.

CUSTOMER REVIEWS (Average Customer Rating: 4.5 based on 16 reviews)

Good Book

This was a great buy. I don't know if it was the wording or what it is but, I find this book really easy to understand and retain information.
September 27, 2008

Great History Book

Western Civilization: Required text for a Central Texas College course. Book is small text and takes some time to read, but the author does an interesting job of presenting the information. I am now in the second week of class and have only read the first 3 chapters, but was worth the purchase.

Recommendation: Worth buying if you'd like a good introduction to Western Civilization.
March 29, 2007

Wonderful textbook.

My history teacher in high school gave us a choice between this book and another (can't remember the latter's title), and I was more than satisfied with this book. I personally prefer the narrative style and detail of this book. My only further comment is to recommend the concise "Modern European History" by S. Viault as you read/after reading this book. It's a wonderful way to recap the important events of each period, not to mention well-phrased and easy to "get the picture."
February 12, 2007

Concise, but...

It leaves of on chapter 15 or 16 whereas, the next volume picks up on Chapter 13. Why didn't they just combine the two volumes since this book is so short anyway instead of reprinting the last 2 or 3 chapters in the second volume? What a ripoff...
Anyway, it's about as good a Western History textbook as you're going to get.
October 07, 2005

Fascinating! Comprehensive!

I purchased my first copy of this text several years from a college bookstore, not for a class, but because I picked it up, began browsing, and couldn't bear to put it down. Although textbooks are not usually written for pleasure reading, I've found Spielvogel's book to be truly well-written and efficiently designed. Maps, chronologies (timelines), and numerous illustrations and sidebars make the text inviting and accessible.

One of my favorite features is the inclusion of excerpts from original source documents. It's fascinating to read the writings of a medieval merchant of Paris on the subject of marriage, or excerpts from the court record of the trial of Joan of Arc. It provides a vivid, memorable glimpse of life in a different place and time.

I used this textbook to prepare for the Western Civilization CLEP, and I passed with no difficulty at all, earning 6 credits toward my bachelor's degree. Western Civ is a huge topic, and Dr. Spielvogel has done a terrific job of making it not only accessible, but enjoyable. I recommend this book!
June 02, 2005

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