A DISTINCTIVE NARRATIVE STRIKES THE PERFECT BALANCE BETWEEN BIG-PICTURE ORIENTATION AND VIVID, GROUND-LEVEL DETAIL

The world history survey is especially challenging for instructors and students because of its vast scope. McNeill, a leader in the field of world history and a specialist in global environmental history, instills his long experience in teaching and writing world history into this cohesive, accessible textbook. McNeill’s webs approach gives students a strong sense of historical change and direction. He provides a balanced narrative that keeps the big picture in view and supports it with vivid, ground-level detail that won’t overwhelm students. Complementing this cohesive narrative are digital learning tools and instructor resources that provide exceptional learning and teaching support.

WEBS OF INTERACTION HELP STUDENTS UNDERSTAND HISTORICAL CONNECTIONS

McNeill’s use of connective webs is not only useful pedagogically for conveying the big picture in the survey course; it also shows how webs operate as historical forces. Webs of interaction are the big-picture patterns you would see if you were observing world history from 10,000 feet. They are the result of countless, continuous human interactions—trade, the spread of beliefs, pathogens, etc.—going on at ground level. Webs tend to grow larger and denser over time but can also contract, fray and disappear. Webs have brought disease and conquest to populations in the short run and have instilled greater uniformities in culture over the long run.

DRAWS ON NEW TYPES OF EVIDENCE THAT ARE TRANSFORMING OUR KNOWLEDGE OF WORLD HISTORY

In the history field generally, and world history particularly, new types of evidence are opening the way to new insights and understandings. McNeill’s narrative incorporates evidence from many sources—archaeological, genetic, linguistic and innovative measures of health, disease, climate change and much more. Pedagogical support helps students read and interpret historical evidence, while introducing the ways historians work to understand bias and limitations in their sources.

ROBUST TEACHING AND LEARNING SUPPORT TO NAVIGATE A CHALLENGING COURSE

World history can be a challenging course to teach and study because it covers all of recorded time and all regions of the world. The Webs of Humankind delivers an accessible and effective print and digital programme designed to help both students and instructors navigate the challenges of the introductory survey. In-text pedagogical features help students identify and understand the big-picture takeaways, while the InQuizitive online learning tool ensures they’ve completed the reading and understand key concepts of the chapter.