Europe in the Modern World: A New Narrative History Since 1500 - Softcover

Berenson, Edward

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0199840806 ISBN 13: 9780199840809

Publisher: Oxford Univ Pr, 2016

Synopsis

Europe in the Modern World: A New Narrative History Since 1500 is an unusually engaging narrative history of Europe since 1500. Written by an award-winning teacher and scholar, the narrative highlights the major episodes of the European past and vividly connects those episodes to major international events. Each chapter opens with a compelling biographical sketch--from Toussaint Louverture to Leni Riefenstahl--that gives the book's ideas a vibrant, human face, while "Writing History" exercises at the end of each chapter offer students step-by-step guidance toward effective, polished prose. Taken together, the end-of-chapter exercises constitute a powerful expository writing program unique to this book.

Europe in the Modern World pays considerably more attention to economic history than do other textbooks, demonstrating the role that economic developments--and the political, social, and cultural responses to them--play in shaping the political and social life of a given age. By taking politics and economics seriously while doing justice to social and cultural life, Europe in the Modern World explains the key phenomena of the Western past with clarity and verve. The book reads not like a typical academic text, but more like the best narrative history.

About this title

Review:

"Europe in the Modern World is a Western Civilization textbook for the twenty-first century, breathing new life into a genre that has become stale and sometimes irrelevant. The book combines compelling storytelling, structure, and a means for teaching history and effective writing at the same time. I've never seen a textbook that does this in a quarter century of teaching history surveys at the university level."--Paul Lockhart, Wright State University

"Berenson has pulled off an impressive feat in telling the story and explaining the significance of modern European history clearly, comprehensively, and concisely. Students will be drawn into each chapter by reading introductory vignettes about historical figures whose lives encapsulate the main themes of the period. Instructors and students alike will also find the self-directed writing exercises included at the end of each chapter to be an invaluable means of enhancing writing and thinking skills."--Geoffrey Clark, The State University of New York at Potsdam

"In the textbook market, there is a dearth of good, usable textbooks on European history from 1500 to the present. Edward Berenson has written one of the best--if not the best--textbook available today. It belongs on everyone's bookshelf, from freshmen in college to seasoned professors."--Ben Sorensen, Cape Fear Community College

"Europe in the Modern World is an innovative textbook that combines a compelling narrative with a rigorous step-by-step guide to historical writing. Its global framework is a much-needed alternative to traditional approaches to Western Civilization. Teachers and students will appreciate the effective integration of historical content and practical exercises."--Ute Chamberlin, Western Illinois University

About the Author:

Edward Berenson is Professor of History at New York University, Director of NYU's Institute of French Studies, and a Senior Fellow at the National September 11 Memorial and Museum. He is the author or editor of seven books and a recipient of the American Historical Association's Eugene Asher Distinguished Teaching Award and UCLA's Distinguished Teaching Award.

About this edition

• Publisher: Oxford Univ Pr
• Publication date: 2016
• ISBN 10: 0199840806
• ISBN 13: 9780199840809
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 730