Free Downloads Western Civilization: Volume II: Since 1500
Best-selling book WESTERN CIVILIZATION has helped over one million users learn about the present by exploring the past. Jackson Spielvogel's engaging, chronological narrative weaves the political, economic, social, religious, intellectual, cultural, and military aspects of history into a gripping story that is as memorable as it is instructive. The clear narrative of a single gifted author makes it easy to follow the story of Western civilization.
Paperback: 688 pages
Publisher: Cengage Learning; 8 edition (January 1, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 111134213X
ISBN-13: 978-1111342135
Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 8.4 x 0.9 inches
Shipping Weight: 2.7 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars 249 customer reviews
Best Sellers Rank: #87,958 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #230 in Books > History > World > Civilization & Culture #523 in Books > Textbooks > Humanities > History > United States #954 in Books > History > Americas > United States > State & Local
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!
This book is an excellent resource for preparing for the Western Civ. CLEP exam. There is a website for the book that has review games and excercises (including my favorite flashcards) for each chapter. My daugher used this book in her freshman year of high school and enjoyed it a lot. She passed the exam with a 67! I recommend using REA's guides as well for the CLEP.
I actually love this book. First, I used it to prepare for the Western Civ 1 CLEP (I will be using it for Western Civ 2 CLEP, as well). I read once through with a hi-liter and then I did three practice tests from petersons.com. I passed the CLEP with a 70 (out of 80).Second, I found it to be very interesting!!! This author did such a good job of presenting a timeline, so that I could organize the ideas easily in my head. This is obviously necessary if you are to keep your facts straight. He did a better job than the history books I have read previously (high school mainly). He also took great care to regularly present the status of women, slaves and minorities (or oppressed majorities) throughout the book and even included very interesting blurbs of ancient writings to illustrate many of these things. I learned more about the status of WOMEN in the history of Western Civ, than I ever have in any other book before. And it was all there organized for me.I am a military history/studies major, and I have already used this book once to familiarize myself with the Punic Wars, for a project. It really helped me get a basic grip on it, and provided quite a bit of what I needed to know.I really like this book. ;)
Professor Emeritus Spielvogel has a unique teaching style that makes history interesting and captivating. This style is mirrored in this book. The text is enhanced by many diagrams, maps and charts. An annotated suggested reading list at the end of each chapter provides its readers with a strong base from which one can begin further research. "Western Civilization" is a very flexible book; it can be used on either the High School or College level and can easily be divided into different themes. If your purposes lead you to non-western areas of history, then try Spielvogel's "World History", co-author by Professor Emeritus William J. Duiker.
This book is one of the best 30 dollars that I have ever spent. It is full of chapter outlines, timeslines, multiple choice, matching, and fill-in-the-blank review questions. Also has chronology tests and primary source analysis questions. The book follows Spielvogel's Western Civilization, and complements it perfectly. Many of the questions that I have seen on the tests at school are very similar to those in this book. This is THE BEST review tool for AP Euro history!
I used this text in my AP European History course. It is a great book. What I like about this book especially is that it is very readable. I remember being amazed at how quickly I could read the text, and without having to struggle too much with it. I switched teachers for AP Euro halfway in the year. My first semester teacher had us read The Western Heritage by Kagan, and although Kagan is a relatively well-known scholar, the text was very difficult to comprehend, and it had too much information that I honestly didn't care about. Western Civilization is a great book for AP European History, or an equivalent college-level course in modern European history, because it is both readable and focuses on the information that's important for the exam. Of course, it's not possible to cover all of Western civilization in one book, but it's a great survey of modern European history. I didn't read the chapters on ancient Europe. I only read from the Renaissance on. So for those who are taking a college-level course in modern European history, I can't recommend this book more.
I bought this book based off of another person's review that this book was great for the CLEP exam. It is a great purchase, because it covers both tests. It was written in a very understandable way and the companion website was awesome. I really enjoyed this book and learned a lot about history. I passed both CLEP tests with the help of speedyprep.com, but knowing the material is most helpful.
Western Civilization: Volume II: Since 1500 Documents of Western Civilization Volume II: Since 1500 The Renaissance: A History of Civilization in Italy from 1304 -1576 AD (The Story of Civilization series, Volume 5) (Story of Civilization (Audio)) The Reformation: A History of European Civilization from Wycliffe to Calvin, 1300 - 1564 (Story of Civilization series, Volume 6) (Story of Civilization (Audio)) Sweet Medicine: Continuing Role of the Sacred Arrows, the Sun Dance, and the Sacred Buffalo Hat in Northern Cheyenne History (Civilization of the ... Civilization of the American Indian Series) The Age of Reason Begins: A History of European Civilization in the Period of Shakespeare, Bacon, Montaigne, Rembrandt, Galileo, and Descartes: 1558 - ... Book 7) (Story of Civilization (Audio)) The Age of Louis XIV: A History of European Civilization in the Period of Pascal, Moliere, Cromwell, Milton, Peter the Great, Newton, and Spinoza, ... Book 8) (Story of Civilization (Audio)) Japonisme: The Japanese Influence on Western Art Since 1858 The Rise and Fall of American Growth: The U.S. Standard of Living since the Civil War (The Princeton Economic History of the Western World) Unequal Gains: American Growth and Inequality since 1700 (The Princeton Economic History of the Western World) Lost to the West: The Forgotten Byzantine Empire That Rescued Western Civilization North to Cree Lake: The Rugged Lives of the Trappers Who Leave Civilization Behind (Western Canadian Classics) The Collapse of Western Civilization: A View from the Future CLEP® Western Civilization II Book + Online (CLEP Test Preparation) CLEP® Western Civilization I Book + Online (CLEP Test Preparation) The Cave and the Light: Plato Versus Aristotle, and the Struggle for the Soul of Western Civilization How the Catholic Church Built Western Civilization The Book that Made Your World: How the Bible Created the Soul of Western Civilization Architecture in Italy, 1400-1500 (The Yale University Press Pelican History of Art) Architecture in Italy, 1500-1600 (The Yale University Press Pelican History of Art)
