A History of the Modern World (9th Edition)

Rating:
Summary: Not as bad as other people have said.
Review: Most people who are going to read this book are either doing it for their IB or AP European History class. This is the all-in-one resource. It does get a bit dry at points, but then you just have to remember what you are reading about. The only book that I found to be better than Palmer was Contemporary Europe: A History by James Wilkinson and H. Stuart Highes. Overall Palmer is a great resource and can be kinda fun to read if you go at it with the right mindset.

Rating:
Summary: Rite of passage for historical enthusiast
Review: I read this book, like most people, for my AP European history exam in 10th grade. I decided to buy it after the course, not because I was particularly enthralled by history, but as a trophy. As much of a struggle as this book is, it is definantly worth bragging if you make it through all 1200+ pages. A must for this course, though it has so many details you should get a study guide as well to "get the big picture".

Rating:
Summary: I hate this book.
Review: I hate this book.. To all people even thinking about purchasing it - run away - far, far away - and never even think about it again.. I hate it.. This book is just about as easy to read, as is a book in some foreign language upside down! Never buy it.. Never.. Any questions? Feel free to write. (Okay, okay.. I must say - it is a lot of details - and if you are able to get through it - you will know every single little detail there ever was to know about history.. including lots of junk about splitting logs, fertilizer.. More than you ever thought was European HIstory..)

Rating:
Summary: Useless waste of time.
Review: This book ruined my life. Picture this, having the weekend free except having to read and outline 1 simple chapter in this book. Sounds easy, right? Wrong! This book uses vocabulary Walt Fraizer wouldn't understand. When talking about gov't and philosphy, the editors decided it best to "assume" you understood the meaning of words such as Pan-Slavism w/o explaining at all. Rather than explain history and give a brief overview of events, the book mentions EVERY-SINGLE-LITTLE-FACT, not letting you know which are important. This can simply be shown in the sheer number of pages, 1259. A sheer waste of much needed trees if you ask me....

Rating:
Summary: Best European History Book Around
Review: This is the best European History Textbook around. I think that no other book goes into all the details and covers every important and not so important detail of European history. At times it seems that Colton and Palmer are on crack but mainly it is a book for those with a large vocabulary and interest in history.

Rating:
Summary: great review of modern european civilisation
Review: palmer here has done an excellent job in reviewing around 1500 years of civilisation in one book. although he often strays and some chapters tend to become more or less tedious this book is still the best 'overall' survey of the history of modern europe.

Rating:
Summary: Long and Boring
Review: I first must say that this book is an excellent source for a termpaper. It goes into detail on virtually every subject from Greece into WW2. However, if your looking for a study aid or some interesting Reading...look elsewhere. The detail of this book is a little too deep to be anything close to interesting. It is LOOONNNGGGGGGGG. While info for many events are included, the book doesn't even attempt to explain it in terms that we normal people can understand. Good attempt at an elaborate review of history, but too elaborate for those of us w/o PHD's.

Rating:
Summary: It's better than The Western Intellectual Tradition
Review: I'm reading this book for my AP European History class and all I can say is it's a good book. It goes into detail the happenings and power players of European history quite well. Although boring at times, it depends on what you're reading(stupid communists, you're too boring), I can say I've enjoyed reading the book and have learned a plethora of history.

Rating:
Summary: Over All worth It
Review: Yes, yes, i know the size, density, and weight of Palmers book may be discouraging at first, but trust me, after your initial reading, Palmarian soon becomes as fluent as English (well with the help of a good dictonary near by.) Palmer usually avoids complex and confusing sentences, in attempts to explain to the reader, as simply as possible, people, places, and events dating back to the end of the medieval times. I used Palmer for my AP european history class in 10th grade, and i gotta admit, its long, and at times boring, but all in all its great b/c it not only explains the actually events, but its also divided up in sections so u understand (somewhat) what youre reading. Palmer often draws parelles to other personalities or events in history in order to reinforce the concepts. PS- as mentioned above, the book should come w/ a warning label: DO NOT READ AFTER 1:00 AM.

Rating:
Summary: Good luck. You'll need it.
Review: I'll admit it's been five years since I gladly returned this volume to my AP European History teacher in 10th grade. Time, though, cannot erase the memories I have of this book and the neverending struggle I faced each time I opened it. If you adore European history, perhaps this is the book for you, but if not, you've got some row to hoe. This book is very, very long. It is dry. It has precious few pictures to break up the monotony. It is definitely a college-level textbook -- which makes it appropriate for an AP class, but don't expect it to be interesting reading. However, if you are able to read the book without your mind wandering (not an easy task), you may learn a lot from it.