Globalization in World History

It is rare for erudition and accessibility to be joined as cogently as in Peter Stearns's concise survey of the origins, evolution, and present state of the processes of globalization. His remarkably wide-ranging case examples are woven together in a lively, fast-paced narrative framed by his own interpretations and fair-minded appraisals of key arguments of other major contributors to the field. Michael Adas, Author of Machines as the Measure of Men and Dominance by Design A concise introduction both to globalization as a phenomenon in world history and to debates about its timing that makes clear why the latter matters, especially to the students who are the audience of this up-to-date and perceptive survey, and who will experience the benefits and drawbacks of globalization throughout their lives. Merry Wiesner-Hanks, Editor-in-Chief, Cambridge World History

Peter N. Stearns is University Professor and Provost Emeritus at George Mason University. He is author of Sexuality in World History (2009), Gender in World History (3rd edition 2015), Consumerism in World History (2nd edition 2006), Childhood in World History (3rd edition 2016), Human Rights in World History (2012), and Peace in World History (2014), all in this series. His other recent publications include World History in Brief (8th edition 2012) and Doing Emotions History (2014).

Table of Contents Globalization and the Challenge to Historical Analysis Emerging Patterns of Contact, 1200 BCE - 1000 CE: a preparatory phase 1000 CE as Turning Point: the birth of globalization? 1500 as Turning Point: the birth of globalization? The 1850s as Turning Point: the birth of globalization? Globalization since the 1940s: a new global history? Conclusion: The Historical Perspective