History 101 - Western Civilization

At the end of the Renaissance, the Western world was beginning to change. Explorers brought back treasures from other lands. Merchants helped develop the rudiments of a modern economy. The new Protestant religion swept across Europe, sparking the brutal Thirty Year's War with Roman Catholics. By the time of the French Revolution, the world had been introduced to the distinct entities that still largely make up present-day Europe, and to the revolutionary social, cultural, and political philosophies of the enlightenment. Within these pages, readers will encounter the developments that altered the course of Europe's early modern era.

Catalyzed by the introduction of writing and the unifying force of Christianity, prehistoric European societies became flourishing civilizations in the early stages of European history. This period ushered in new technologies and advances in economic, political, and scientific thought that created an enduring cultural link between what would later become disparate nation-states. This illuminating volume provides an overarching view of the early social and intellectual transformations that brought European civilization from its birth in antiquity to its illustrious rebirth during the Renaissance.

"The Family in the Western World from the Black Death to the Industrial Age" debunks common myths about pre-industrial families. Contrary to popular belief, most women married in their mid-twenties, and households were typically small, often including young servants. Multigenerational families were less common than assumed.
The book explores the lives of both wealthy and poor families, covering courtship, marriage, child-rearing, and the importance of inheritance in a society focused on rank and status. It also challenges romanticized notions of the "traditional" family, highlighting the diversity of experiences and values within this period.

As readers investigate the engaging main text, fact boxes, and sidebars, they uncover the Greek roots of theater, democracy, and philosophy, as well as many other contributions to the modern world made by the ancient Greeks. Detailed maps help readers develop their geography skills, and vivid photographs take readers into the heart of the ancient Greek world.

The Roman Republic was a major world power for years. However, it eventually fell and was replaced by the Roman Empire, which then endured for another few centuries. In this volume, readers learn about the history of ancient Rome, with a focus on the main factors that contributed to the Roman Republic's collapse: income inequality, civil wars, and corrupt politicians.

In "Life and Work in Medieval Europe," P. Boissonnade delves into the economic and social transformations of Europe from the 5th to the 15th centuries. He focuses on the lives of working people, detailing the gradual decline of feudalism and the rise of new economic structures. This includes the break-up of large estates, the growth of small-scale crafts and larger capitalist enterprises, the emergence of wage labor, and significant advancements in agriculture and industry. Additionally, Boissonnade explores the expansion of international trade and the rise of financial institutions, painting a comprehensive picture of the evolving economic landscape of medieval Europe.

The Very Interesting People series provides authoritative bite-sized biographies of Britain's most fascinating historical figures - people whose influence and importance have stood the test of time.