
World History
The Basics
Peter N. Stearns(Author)
Routledge (Publisher)
2nd Edition
Published on 25. May 2026
226 pages
978-1-040-86284-1 (ISBN)
System requirements
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Description
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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
Illustrations
1 Tables, black and white; 2 Line drawings, black and white; 2 Illustrations, black and white
File size
8,72 MB
ISBN-13
978-1-040-86284-1 (9781040862841)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

Book
05/2026
2nd Edition
Routledge
€30.00
Available immediately
Book
05/2026
2nd Edition
Routledge
€215.41
Shipment within 15-20 days
Previous edition

E-Book
07/2013
1st Edition
Routledge
€55.49
Available for download
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
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