World History in Documents

by Peter N. Stearns

From Hammurabi to Hitler, the Peloponnesian War to Peronism, and Magna Carta to Octavia Paz's Mexico, this text combines original sources on significant topics of world history with the challenge of comparative analysis. With an emphasis on the use of primary materials, the book presents historical documents from the major regions of the world with the aim of helping readers to deal recurrently with topics from all continents. The scope of human activity covered encompasses politics, culture, gender, labour, migration and social structure. Substantial introductions set the stage for the five major time periods, and for the subject of each chapter. Questions guide student reading and can form the basis for classroom discussion. Throughout the book, comparative topics are highlighted to enable students to compare and contrast different societies around a common topic.

Peter N. Stearns is Provost and University Professor at George Mason University. Since 1967, he has served as editor-in-chief of The Journal of Social History. His numerous books include World History in Documents; American Behavioral History; and Anxious Parents.