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Discovering the Western Past: A Look at the Evidence, Volume I: To 1789, 7th Edition

Merry E. Wiesner-Hanks, Andrew D. Evans, William Bruce Wheeler, Julius R. Ruff

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Starting At $67.95 See pricing and ISBN options
Discovering the Western Past: A Look at the Evidence, Volume I: To 1789 7th Edition by Merry E. Wiesner-Hanks/Andrew D. Evans/William Bruce Wheeler/Julius R. Ruff

Overview

This successful Western history version of the popular Discovering series provides a broad range of both visual and written sources. The unique pedagogical framework includes The Problem, Sources and Method, The Evidence, Questions to Consider, and Epilogue and Evaluation sections in each chapter. This structure promotes critical thinking, sharpens analytical skills, and builds student interest in the subject matter. DISCOVERING THE WESTERN PAST: A LOOK AT THE EVIDENCE, Volume I: To 1789, Seventh Edition, emphasizes historical study as interpretation rather than memorization of data, with actual documents and artifacts from which students develop answers to historical questions-and learn to think like historians. The new edition includes two new chapters, which explore health and disease in the Greek World as well as the activities of monarchs in Portugal, Castile, and Aragon who were interested in expanding their territories and influence in 1450–1540.

Merry E. Wiesner-Hanks

Merry Wiesner-Hanks (Chair, Department of History, University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee) received her Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin, Madison in 1979. She has published WORKING WOMEN IN RENAISSANCE GERMANY (Rutgers, 1986) as well as numerous articles on women and the Reformation and urban social history. She is co-author of DISCOVERING THE GLOBAL PAST (2012), DISCOVERING THE WESTERN PAST (2008), DISCOVERING THE MEDIEVAL PAST (2003), DISCOVERING THE ANCIENT PAST (2005), DISCOVERING THE TWENTIETH-CENTURY WORLD (2005), and BECOMING VISIBLE: WOMEN IN EUROPEAN HISTORY (1998). She is also the General Editor of the PROBLEMS IN EUROPEAN CIVILIZATION series.

Andrew D. Evans

Andrew D. Evans (Chair, Department of History, State University of New York at New Paltz) received his Ph.D. from Indiana University in 2002. He is the author of ANTHROPOLOGY AT WAR: WORLD WAR I AND THE SCIENCE OF RACE IN GERMANY (Chicago, 2010), and co-author of DISCOVERING THE WESTERN PAST (2015).

William Bruce Wheeler

William Bruce Wheeler received his Ph.D. from the University of Virginia in 1967. He is co-author of DISCOVERING THE GLOBAL PAST (2012), DISCOVERING THE AMERICAN PAST (2012), and DISCOVERING THE WESTERN PAST (2008). He has also written books on Tennessee history and the Tellico Dam.

Julius R. Ruff

Julius Ruff (Marquette University) received his Ph.D. from the University of North Carolina 1979. He is the author of Crime, Justice and Public Order in Old Regime France (Croom Helm, 1984) in addition to many articles and book reviews.
  • The most significant addition to this edition is a new co-author, Andrew D. Evans, a specialist in the history of modern Germany and the author of ANTHROPOLOGY AT WAR: WORLD WAR I AND THE SCIENCE RACE IN GERMANY (2010). An associate professor and recipient of the Teacher of the Year Award at the State University of New York at New Paltz, Professor Evans was recruited as an author because of his deep understanding of the way that teachers and students can best use this book.
  • A new Chapter 3, "Health and Disease in the Greek World," explores the beliefs and practices of people in antiquity, who viewed health and disease as being influenced by divine will and action, yet used medical treatments-human intervention-for injuries and various ailments.
  • Chapter 9, "Social and Economic Conflicts in the Late Medieval Cloth Trade," is significantly revised with new source material; for instance, on laws regarding cloth cutting under the Count of Holland, city ordinances regarding weavers in England and guilds in Germany, and a judicial inquiry of a labor organizer in Florence.
  • A new Chapter 13, "Royal Power and Overseas Expansion, 1450–1540," asks students to examine how the activities of monarchs in Portugal, Castile, and Aragon-which involved exploration, trade, conquest, and the desire for increased territory and influence-set a pattern later followed by France, England, the Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden, and several smaller states.
  • The unique pedagogical framework includes The Problem, Sources and Method, The Evidence, Questions to Consider, and Epilogue and Evaluation sections in each chapter. This structure promotes critical thinking, sharpens analytical skills, and builds student interest in the subject matter.
  • The text emphasizes historical study as interpretation rather than memorization of data, with actual documents and artifacts from which students develop answers to historical questions-and learn to think like historians.
1. The Need for Water in Ancient Societies.
2. The Ideal and the Reality of Classical Athens.
3. Health and Disease in the Greek World.
4. The Achievements of Augustus.
5. Invading Barbarians.
6. The Development of the Medieval State.
7. Life at a Medieval University.
8. Infidels and Heretics: Crusades of the High Middle Ages.
9. Social and Economic Conflicts in the Late Medieval Cloth Trade.
10. The Renaissance Man and Woman.
11. Pagans, Muslims, and Christians in the Mental World of Columbus.
12. The Spread of the Reformation.
13. Royal Power and Overseas Expansion, 1450–1540.

Textbook Only Options

Traditional eBook and Print Options

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  • ISBN-10: 1305156323
  • ISBN-13: 9781305156326
  • RETAIL $67.95

  • ISBN-10: 1111837163
  • ISBN-13: 9781111837167
  • RETAIL $127.95

  • ISBN-10: 1111837171
  • ISBN-13: 9781111837174
  • RETAIL $127.95

Cengage provides a range of supplements that are updated in coordination with the main title selection. For more information about these supplements, contact your Learning Consultant.

FOR STUDENTS

Discovering the Western Past: A Look at the Evidence, Volume II: Since 1500

ISBN: 9781111837174
This successful Western history version of the popular Discovering series provides a broad range of both visual and written sources. The unique pedagogical framework includes The Problem, Sources and Method, The Evidence, Questions to Consider, and Epilogue and Evaluation sections in each chapter. This structure promotes critical thinking, sharpens analytical skills, and builds student interest in the subject matter. DISCOVERING THE WESTERN PAST: A LOOK AT THE EVIDENCE, Volume II: Since 1500, Seventh Edition, emphasizes historical study as interpretation rather than memorization of data, with actual documents and artifacts from which students develop answers to historical questions--and learn to think like historians. Significantly revised, this edition includes four new chapters: “Royal Power and Overseas Expansion, 1450–1540” (Ch. 2); “Motherhood, Nationalism, and Women's Political Role, 1848–1940” (Ch. 10); “Cold War Cultures: Visions of the 'Good Life' in East and West” (Ch. 13); and “Europe and the Iraq War” (Ch. 14).