Worlds of History offers a flexible comparative and thematic organization that accommodates a variety of teaching approaches and helps students to make cross-cultural comparisons. Thoughtfully compiled by a distinguished world historian and community college instructor, each chapter presents a wide array of primary and secondary sources arranged around a major theme — such as universal religions, the environment and technology, or gender and family — across two or more cultures, along with pedagogy that builds students’ capacity to analyze and interpret sources, and think critically and independently.

Volume I

1. Prehistory and the Origins of Patriarchy: Gathering, Agricultural, and Urban Societies, 40,-1 B.C.E.

2. The Urban Revolution and Civilization: Ancient City Societies in Mesopotamia, Egypt, and Peru, 3500-1 B.C.E.

3. Identity in Caste and Territorial Societies: Greece and India, 1-300 B.C.E.

4. Empire and Government: China and Rome, 300 B.C.E.–300 C.E.

5. Gender, Sex, and Love in Classical Societies: India, China, and the Mediterranean, 500 B.C.E.–700 C.E.

6. From Tribal to Universal Religion: Hindu-Buddhist and Judeo-Christian Traditions, 1 B.C.E.–100 C.E.

7. The Spread of Universal Religions: Afro-Eurasia, 100–1300 C.E.

8. Migrations, Trade and Travel: The Movement of People, Goods, and Ideas in Eurasia, Africa, and the Pacific, 3 B.C.E–1354 C.E.

9. Love, Sex, and Marriage: Medieval Europe and Asia, 400–1400

10. Muslim, Christian, and Jewish Encounters: Afro-Eurasia, 1-1300 C.E.

11. Raiders of Steppe and Sea: Vikings and Mongols, Eurasia and the Atlantic, 900–1350

12. The Black Death: Afro-Eurasia, 1346–1350

13. The Smell of the Past: The Long Past

14. Environment, Culture, and Technology: Europe, Asia, and Oceania, 500–1500