Western Civilization: Volume A: To 1500
[Spielvogel's text] is very well organized and contains rich detail that really explains events, people, and historical forces. . . . The graphics are great and I love the inclusion of film."Too many textbooks . . . read as little more than a piling on of recent scholarship with little attempt to integrate this into a larger narrative framework. Spielvogel integrates this scholarship into a very well written textbook that . . . kept me engaged. . . . When the author writes in the preface, 'That story is an exciting one; yet many textbooks fail to capture the imagination of their readers,' I was initially skeptical. But I found that he delivered on his promise, a pleasant surprise . . . ! Chapters on Napoleon, for instance, made for gripping reading."I have had occasion through the years either to critique or review . . . a number of Western Civilization texts. Few, if any, equal this text for comprehensive coverage of the subject; none surpass it. This is a quality text in every sense of the word.". . . it is clear to the reader that Spielvogel has an expert knowledge of the material, which he presents in a fluid and insightful narrative. I really appreciate the balance of political, social, economic, religious, and cultural history. . . . This is difficult to achieve when writing a textbook. The scholarship is up-to-date, accurate, and presented in a cogent, concise manner.