World History
The Basics
Peter N. Stearns(Author)
Routledge (Publisher)
2nd Edition
Published on 25. May 2026
Book
Hardback
214 pages
978-1-041-24117-1 (ISBN)
Description
World history continues to evolve as one of the most popular and widely discussed approaches to the study of history. The second edition of World History: The Basics offers an updated introduction of this fast-growing field, addressing key questions such as:
What is world history?
How do we study a subject with such a broad geographic and chronological range?
Why has world history been controversial?
This new edition integrates both US and global perspectives, including up to date historiographical analysis and coverage of developments around the world since the first edition was published. The volume also addresses the challenge of considering Big History along with attention to major regional civilizations. Authored by one of the field's pioneers, the book explores key topics such as time, place, interactions, themes, and more. Serving as both an excellent introduction to world history and a significant commentary on the past, present, and future of the discipline, this volume is an essential resource for understanding the field.
What is world history?
How do we study a subject with such a broad geographic and chronological range?
Why has world history been controversial?
This new edition integrates both US and global perspectives, including up to date historiographical analysis and coverage of developments around the world since the first edition was published. The volume also addresses the challenge of considering Big History along with attention to major regional civilizations. Authored by one of the field's pioneers, the book explores key topics such as time, place, interactions, themes, and more. Serving as both an excellent introduction to world history and a significant commentary on the past, present, and future of the discipline, this volume is an essential resource for understanding the field.
More details
Series
Edition
2nd edition
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Taylor & Francis Ltd
Target group
College/higher education
Undergraduate Core
Illustrations
2 s/w Zeichnungen, 1 s/w Tabelle, 2 s/w Abbildungen
1 Tables, black and white; 2 Line drawings, black and white; 2 Illustrations, black and white
Dimensions
Height: 198 mm
Width: 129 mm
Weight
580 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-041-24117-1 (9781041241171)
Copyright in bibliographic data is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or its licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

Book
05/2026
2nd Edition
Routledge
€30.00
Available immediately

E-Book
05/2026
2nd Edition
Routledge
€31.49
Available for download

E-Book
05/2026
2nd Edition
Routledge
€31.49
Available for download
Previous edition

Peter N. Stearns
World History: The Basics
Book
11/2010
1st Edition
Routledge
€155.99
Article exhausted; check for reprint
Person
Peter N. Stearns is Distinguished University Professor Emeritus at George Mason University. He is series editor for Routledge's Themes in World History and founder and editor of the Journal of Social History.
Content
1. What and Why Is World History? 2. A World History Skeleton: One Possible Framework 3. Habits of Mind in World History 4. Managing Time: Choosing and Evaluating World History Periods 5. Managing Place: Choosing and Evaluating World History Regions 6. The West as Problem 7. Contacts and the Structure of World History 8. Topics in World History 9. Disputes in World History 10. World History in the Contemporary Era