Western Civilization: Comprehensive Volume

Rating:
Summary: Western Civilization
Review: Book is well designed; choice of content is good. Historical selections are given a tan background which is dark enough to make the text more difficult to read than it might be. This also could be 'old' eyes. Book seems well copy-edited for textual errors. The long lists of primary and secondary sources seems to be a 'feature' of history texts these days. Rather intimidating, particularly for the beginning history student. A shorter list might be more helpful and appropriate. Problems:
If you cannot pronounce a word, you cannot learn it. Some of this may be due to my 'studying at home', but even the student who attends a regular class will be left at a loss on how to pronounce many, many words. More help is needed.
The ancilliary materials, Map Workbook and Original Document Workbook, are not up to the level of the main text. The Map Workbook uses muddy, black and white versions of the colored text maps, and answer some of their own questions, while some of the cities which the student is asked to identify are 'off the map'. The Original Document workbook is a joke. Few selections, 18pt type, lots of white space, typos, layout poor at times. Junk.
There are numerous instances in the main text of clumsy English. One example will have to do:
P.160 "Although the cultural and social developments of the Early Empire were similar to those of the last century of the Republic, there were also significant changes as a result of the new imperial order."
Are they similar or are they different? 'Developments' is the wrong word. 'Also' is a junk word. 'There were significant changes' is weak (intransitive). Better:
"Although some cultural and social features of the Early Empire were similar to those of the last century of the Republic, the new imperial order brought significant changes." Good transition sentence. -17% word count from original.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent History Book!!!
Review: HEy...i have to read this for 9th grade humanities...its ok...i mean its pretty good but since i go to a Christian school..alot of the stuff doesn't go with my belief...other than that its a great book for comparising though! So...thats my thoughts of a 14 yr old....

Rating:
Summary: It's Just A Textbook?!?
Review: I am taking the class AP European History, and I have to admit it is a very comprehensible textbook. However, it is just a TEXTBOOK! The other people that have written reviews of this book need to be locked up! I mean one girl said she begged her parents to get it for her for Christmas, and another guy said this book was better than sex! Judging by where these people are from I can see they should be easily amused. I can't understand what these people are getting at. If you take the European History class, this book is a requirment. Unless you're taking the class I can't imagine anybody buying this thick book. And if you are a person that likes to read textbooks for fun you should have yourself committed!

Rating:
Summary: If you happen to like miniscule details...
Review: I personally disliked the book, but as a history book I admit it rates 5 stars. Spielvogel is the master of all impertinent details and sometimes goes too deeply into what is essentially a dead end in history, as it doesn't connect to anything else; it just sits there for no reason except to be memorized and tested on later. He is also sometimes too politically correct, 'unpaid forced laborer' = 'slave' in one sentence. Furthermore, he picks on Italy, in practically each chapter after the end of the Renaissance to WWI he points out a negative thing or two about it, while ignoring other depressed and turmoiled countries. But at least he has some original sources--it was a good idea of his to put them in the book. One other thing, he also spelled Anchorage, AK, as Ankorage.

Rating:
Summary: WONDERFUL TEXTBOOK!
Review: I READ THIS BOOK FOR WESTERN CIV I & II AND I LOVED IT! NOT TO MENTION THAT I RECEIVED AN A ON BOTH TESTS. EVEN IF YOU DON'T HAVE TO READ IT FOR COLLEGE, I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK. IT IS SUCH A TREAT TO READ AND I BELIEVE IT BELONGS IN EVERY HOME. EVERYONE SHOULD KNOW WHERE THE CRADLE OF WESTERN CIVILIZATION BEGAN, AND HOW THE PEOPLE LIVED AND PROGRESSED THROUGHOUT THE AGES. I CAN'T WAIT TO SHARE THIS BOOK WITH MY CHILDREN SOMEDAY. HAPPY READING!

Rating:
Summary: WONDERFUL TEXTBOOK!
Review: I READ THIS BOOK FOR WESTERN CIV I & II AND I LOVED IT! NOT TO MENTION THAT I RECEIVED AN A ON BOTH TESTS. EVEN IF YOU DON'T HAVE TO READ IT FOR COLLEGE, I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK. IT IS SUCH A TREAT TO READ AND I BELIEVE IT BELONGS IN EVERY HOME. EVERYONE SHOULD KNOW WHERE THE CRADLE OF WESTERN CIVILIZATION BEGAN, AND HOW THE PEOPLE LIVED AND PROGRESSED THROUGHOUT THE AGES. I CAN'T WAIT TO SHARE THIS BOOK WITH MY CHILDREN SOMEDAY. HAPPY READING!

Rating:
Summary: The Best Survey History of Western Civilization.
Review: 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.

Rating:
Summary: West.Civ. Textbook
Review: The text is easy to read and the book has just the right amount of pictures co-ordinating with the subject matter. A perfect book to study from. On the down side, the book is a very thick and heavy book, but history is massive.

Rating:
Summary: This Book Is Better Than Sex
Review: This is an excellent book, and extremely comprehensive. This book was the textbook for my AP European History class, and it is the most valuable book in terms of western history that I have read. One thing, though- Spielvogel hates Italy.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent Western Civ Book
Review: This is the best book for Western Civ Study. It is ideal for AP European History classes as well as College Western Civ classes. I highly recommend it.