2nd Edition
The Modernization of the Western World A Society Transformed
The Modernization of the Western World presents an overview of the history of Western civilization and provides readers with the intellectual tools they need to comprehend how societies function and change. Covering Western history from ancient history to the current era of globalization, it draws on the tradition of historical sociology to describe the forces of social change and what they have meant to the lives of the people caught in the midst of them.
This second edition is revised throughout to bring the content up to date with recent developments and discusses key themes such as terrorism, refugees, the European Union and multinational corporations. It also includes a new chapter on the Ancient World, covering this era from the advent of urbanization and agriculture in the Middle East to the fall of Rome and emergence of Christianity, providing valuable historical context.
Clear and concise, this book succinctly illustrates the essential turning points in the history of Western society and identifies the economic, social, political and cultural forces that are transforming the wider world to this day. Illustrated with maps and images and containing a glossary and new boxed features explaining key concepts, this is the perfect introductory book for students of the development of Western civilization.
Preface
Physical Map of Europe
Political Map of Contemporary Europe
1. The Modernization of the Western World John McGrath and Jay P. Corrin
2. Modernization and Social Change Kathleen Callanan Martin
3. Europe in the Medieval Era John McGrath
4. The Late Middle Ages and the Transformation of Medieval Society John McGrath
5. The Italian Renaissance Kathleen Callanan Martin and John McGrath
6. The Reformation Susan Hagood Lee
7. Commerce, Cities, and Capitalism John McGrath
8. The Centralization and Rationalization of the Political State John McGrath
9. The Enlightenment John McGrath
10. The French Revolution John W. Mackey
11. The Industrial Revolution John W. Mackey
12. Classical Liberalism and the Bourgeois State Kathleen Callanan Martin
13. Karl Marx and the Socialist Response to Capitalism Kathleen Callanan Martin
14. Nationalism and Nations John W. Mackey
15. The Age of Empire John W. Mackey
16. The Great War Benjamin E. Varat
17. Europe between the Wars Jay P. Corrin
18. The Rise of Fascism Jay P. Corrin
19. Total War: World War II Michael G. Kort
20. The Cold War Benjamin E. Varat
21. Globalization and Social Change John McGrath
Glossary
Index
Biography
John McGrath is Associate Professor of Social Sciences at Boston University, USA. His publications include The French in Early Florida: In the Eye of the Hurricane (2000).
Kathleen Callanan Martin is Senior Lecturer of Social Sciences at Boston University, USA. Her publications include Hard and Unreal Advice: Mothers, Social Science and the Victorian Poverty Experts (2008).
