Rating: 
Summary: Wow
Review: This book puts all other history books to shame. I used it as the primary source textbook for my AP European History class, and it was great. It is logically organized (not like many other textbooks nowadays, which seem to be organized in a completely random, non-chronological, and confusing fashion), and, yes, easy and interesting to read. Palmer clearly explains not just the events but also the many poltical, social, and economic realities that led to those events. Seriously, read Palmer well and you're guaranteed a 5 on the AP Euro test.
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Summary: The Essential Book on Modern European History
Review: In my AP European History class, this book has many monikers related to its large size; the dictionary or the Bible come to mind. The latter is especially fitting, because in short, Palmer and Colton's History of the Modern World is the essential book on modern European History, the Bible of the topic, if you will.
This book is not for the weak of historical heart. Its large size, enormous scope, and dense writing style drive some away from it. But those who appreciate it for what it is will be justly rewarded. The value of this book lies in the way the authors take such a vast sea of information and synthesize it, putting the entire picture of European History, from the rise of "modern" civilization in Ancient Greece to 1990's European History, together. In short, there is no book better on the topic. I'll be perfectly honest: this book is not an easy read. However, for the serious history student, be it one studying for the AP European History exam or otherwise, this is an invaluable work. The History of the Modern World is a treasure trove of information, telling the distinctly unique story that is European History in a masterful way. I know that my time spent with it has already benefited me, and that it will continue to pay off in the future. Sure, it has some minor faults, but without a doubt, it is the best there is. The History of the Modern World is simply a wonderful work. My thanks to Mr. Palmer and Mr. Colton.
Rating: 
Summary: history made boring by R.R. Palmer
Review: Not only does Mr. Palmer assume that the reader has decided to pick up his book for the purpose of a bedtime story(as this rendition of world history could put a 5 year-old with A.D.D. hyped up on speed to sleep) but also that said reader has extra money lying around to pay their internet provider so that when they realize that they'll gain no specific information(from this novel that attempts to explain everything but unfortunately does not succeed as all topics are kept too broad to ever be able to write a paper) and will spend hours on the web searching for the knowledge they'll never gain from this paperweight. There are elementary school history books written better than this, I suggest you find them ,lest you be a masochist then by all means order a copy.
Rating:
Summary: It's like stuffing all of modern history into a milk bottle
Review: Boy, I knew when I started to read this book for my AP Euro class, that my 10th grade year would be a living hell. Three months and 450 pages later though, I know that the two hours+ I spend reading and outlining this textbook everynight is going get me that 5 on the AP test. Just be thankful, that many of you don't have to read "A History of Modern Society" by Mckay too, to fill in all that stuff that Palmer missed.
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Summary: The First and Last Book to Read on the Rise of Modern Europe
Review: The first edition of this classic was published in 1950, and in the most recent editions it remains the best single volume survey of the rise of modern Europe. Palmer is justly famous for his work on The Age of Democratic Revolutions and had a wonderful gift for synthesis and exposition. Palmer is a marvelous stylist who writes for the intelligent student or curious general reader, yet maintains a very high scholarly standard. Some reviewers have complained that this book is perhaps difficult, but I am hard pressed to see why. The book was originally written as a text to be used in the traditional introductory freshman survey course in Western Civilization at the top tier colleges and universities, where it has proved itself both approachable and thorough over 50 years. It provides a coherent, mainstream interpretation which gives the reader sufficient factual material and critical analysis to think intelligently about modern history, while alerting the interested reader to some of the major issues of historical interpretation. When I was a graduate student in European history some 30 years ago, A History of the Modern World was THE book that doctoral candidates were advised to reread at the end of their preparation for both written and oral exams, to make sure that after all of the specialized and deep work, they had a solid overall perspective and could fully integrate their knowledge into the larger framework of the development of modern Europe. There are very few books in any field so good that they could be recommended as both the first and last book one reads as a student of the topic. A History of the Modern World stands out among even that select group.
Rating: 
Summary: An excellent book, but too high-level for many students
Review: The Palmer & Colton text is an excellent book. I (an AP European History teacher) found it to be extremely well-written, authoritative, and interesting. Many textbooks are written in such a manner as to put even a history teacher to sleep, or, if they are written in an interesting manner, suffer from shoddy scholarship. "A History of the Modern World" suffers from neither of these flaws. It does, however, have a few weakenesses. As mentioned in other reviews, it has fewer illustrations than most secondary texts, and none of the illustrations are in color, making maps somewhat difficult to read and greatly reducing the value of putting art in the book. Palmer & Colton also spend a bit less time on social history. Finally, though extremely well-written and interesting for the accomplished reader, it is quite heavy reading for even a high-level high school reader. Hence, while some students love "A History of the Modern World," many others dread having to read it. All that said, I believe for sheer volume and quality presentation of information, this is the best AP European Hisory textbook I have read.
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Summary: Thank you Mr. Palmer and Mr. Colton ...
Review: for my A in Modern European History.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent Book
Review: This book is the best history book that I have ever used. I used this book and volume two for my AP European History Class. It really helped me to learn extraordinary data that got me a 5 on the AP Exam.
Rating:
Summary: Good Book!
Review: This book was used for my AP European History class. It does a great job at teaching. However, the maps are not very good; the pictures are fairly bad. Palmer and Colton know their stuff.
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Summary: Palmer: Older than tree bark, but the wisest of all
Review: Well, it has been half a year since I finished AP European History, which revolved around History of the Modern World. My class, being of a humerous nature, sometimes made jokes about Palmer and his age, however even with the sense of humour we had we realized what this book was. This book taught me everything I needed to know about European History, much like how George W. Bush has learned everything about life from "The Ernest Movies" such as: Ernest and his bankrupt business, Ernest goes somewhere cheap, and Ernest goes to the VD Clinic ("Hey Verne! What's this burning sensation?"). However, I must provide a word of warning -- this book is not for the weak. If you have a short attention span, do not buy this. Not to sound elitist, but maybe something like Harry Potter would be more your speed if you have a short attention span and are thinking of buying this. Palmer is the pinnacle of knowledge, the master chronicle of civilization, historys' crowning achievement. But seriously, do not go against my warning, in the wrong hands Palmer can be dangerous. I mean there are people who are actually people who used this book as a doorstop. For those people, I urge them in this new year to turn off the Jerry Springer and get some culture and actually read the book instead of using it as a doorstop.
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