In the Balance 1. Themes in Global History

This is volume one of a two-volume world history text. The book takes a thematic approach, exploring different civilizations in a comparative manner and central themes are used to highlight the interconnectedness of the world's development across cultures and time. The approach is roughly chronological, though the organization deals with broader comparative issues such as the family. The text explores how different parts of the world often follow similar paths, even at different times and how similarities or differences in development can be revealing about particular societies, for example a chapter on gods, goddesses and god kings in Asia, Africa and the Americas. The book places less emphasis on political history and more on social, economic and cultural, with coverage of gender and family. The section openers have comparative chronological charts to help keep the student oriented with respect to events in different parts of the world and learning aids include debating the past boxes, daily life boxes, two four-colour photo-essays and marginal heads to help keep track of the testable material.