Books › A history of the modern world
A history of the modern world
First published 1950 · 1259 pages
A sweeping, authoritative journey through the centuries that meticulously maps the forces shaping the modern geopolitical landscape.
What it feels like
Reading this classic text feels like sitting in a grand, wood-paneled lecture hall with a master historian. It is a deeply intellectual and expansive experience, marching steadily through centuries of human triumph and folly. The prose is dense but remarkably clear, prioritizing a sweeping synthesis of complex events over dramatic narrative flair. You are immersed in a serious, contemplative atmosphere where the rise and fall of empires, the evolution of political thought, and the brutal realities of war are laid out with objective authority. It demands patience and focus, rewarding the reader with a profound, interconnected understanding of how the modern world came to be. This is a foundational read for lifelong learners and dedicated history enthusiasts who crave academic rigor.
- Mood
- intellectual
- expansive
- serious
- contemplative
- Tone
- authoritative
- academic
- objective
- erudite
- sweeping
- Pace
- steady
- Themes
- the march of time · evolution of civilization · rise and fall of empires · shaping of the modern mind · geopolitical interconnectedness
- The writing
- Clear, dense, and elegantly structured, prioritizing comprehensive synthesis and academic rigor over narrative flair.
- The arc
- Moves from a sense of foundational curiosity to a complex, sobering understanding of modern global realities.
- Who it's for
- Lifelong learners, history buffs, and students seeking a rigorous, foundational understanding of Western civilization and its global impact.
Content notes
- war and conflict
- colonialism
- political violence
- religious persecution
About the book
Conceived and written as a history of the modern world rather than a truncated Western Civilization book, this text is one of the most highly praised history texts ever published. It has been adopted at more than 1000 schools and has been translated into six languages. Lloyd Kramer joins the author team for this ninth edition that includes two new color inserts highlighting fine art, additional pedagogy to guide students through challenging material, and full, up-to-date inclusion of current events. First published in 1950, translated into six languages, is used in more than 1,000 colleges and universities as well as many high school advanced placement courses. The second edition (1956), comprises two volumes, 20 main chapters and 110 sub-chapters. The author focuses on World History from a European perspective, and the newer editions also exists under the title "A History of Europe in the Modern World".
First book The Ancient Greece to 1848
Chapter 1 - Birth of Europe 1. Ancient Greece, Rome and Christianity, p. 3 2. Early Middle Ages, Forming of Europe, p. 10 3. High Middle Ages, Profane culture, p. 18 4. High Middle Ages, the Church, p. 29
Chapter 2 - The Upheaval within the Christian Church 1300 - 1560 5. Decay of the Church, p. 39 6. The Renaissance in Italy, p. 44 7. The Renaissance outside Italy, p. 52 8. The new Monarchies, p. 54 9. Protestantism, p. 60 10. Catholic reformation and restructure, p. 73
Chapter 3 - The Religious Wars 1560 - 1648 11. Opening of the Atlantic Ocean, p. 81 12. The Commercial Revolution, p. 85 13. The Spanish Inquisition; the Dutch and the English, p. 95 14. France's decomposition and reconstruction, p. 104 15. The thirty-year war; Germany's decay, p. 111
Chapter 4 - Western Europe in Leadership Position 16. The Great Monarch and the Balance in Europe, p. 121 17. The Dutch Republic, p. 124 18. England: the Puritan Republic, p. 129 19. England: the Triumph of the Parliament, p. 136 20. Louis XIV's France 1643-1715; the Triumph of Absolutism, p. 142 21. Louis XIV's War; Treaty of Utrecht, p. 152
Description from Open Library.
Books like A history of the modern world
See why they match
The civilization of the Middle AgesNorman F. CantorA sweeping, opinionated, and deeply human journey through the cultural and intellectual awakening of the medieval world.
Prentice Hall World HistoryEllisA structured, sweeping journey through the triumphs and tragedies of human civilization, designed to connect the distant past to the present day.
Western CivilizationsJoshua Cole and Carol SymesA sweeping, structured exploration of the historical and cultural forces that shaped the Western world.
The age of extremesEric J. HobsbawmA sweeping, sobering masterclass in making sense of the twentieth century's most turbulent and transformative decades.
Traditions & encountersJerry H. Bentley and Herbert F. ZieglerA sweeping, structured journey through the interconnected tapestry of human civilization.
Why the West Rules - For NowIan MorrisA sweeping, God's-eye view of human history that turns millennia of data into a gripping puzzle about geography, power, and our collective future.