The narrative — thematic, comparative, and truly global — focuses on the big picture. Brief by design, the narrative avoids the overwhelming details of many textbooks and emphasizes major developments. Broad themes include empires in the second-wave era, global commerce and trade throughout history and into the twenty-first century, the emergence of global religions, industrialization, and the rise and fall of totalitarian systems. Part-opening essays set the stage for the chapters that follow and encourage students to make connections among the world's cultures.
A single author's voice brings a thoughtful, elegant, and reflective approach to history. Robert W. Strayer, a pioneer in the field of world history, muses on the multiple meanings of history and the historian's craft. Students experience first-hand the process of reading historical evidence and making historical arguments.
Each chapter employs a variety of learning tools to help students understand what they are reading and seeing. Margin review questions emphasize "comparison," "connection," and "change." Chapter-ending "Big Picture" questions encourage student synthesis of the material.