A History of Western Society is one of the most successful textbooks available because it captures students' interest in the everyday life of the past, tying social history to politics and culture. The tenth edition has been thoroughly revised to strengthen readability and the attention to daily life, and incorporate new scholarship.
This book explores European history from the invention of the printing press to the French Revolution. The thoroughly updated third edition incorporates new scholarship, emphasizing environmental history, travel and migration, race and cultural blending, and the circulation of goods and knowledge. It features summaries, timelines, maps, illustrations, and discussion questions that enhance the narrative and support student learning. Enhanced online content and sections on sources and methodology equip students with essential tools for studying early modern European history. Leading historian Merry Wiesner-Hanks expertly balances breadth and depth, creating a compelling narrative that highlights the global context of European developments. The text integrates discussions of gender, class, and regional and ethnic differences across Europe and its colonies, alongside the economic, political, religious, and cultural history of the period. The structure includes two main parts: the first covering 1450-1600, with topics such as society, politics, culture, religious reform, and economics; the second addressing 1600-1789, focusing on similar themes. The inclusion of an index aids in navigating the content effectively.