Placing value in perspective―a rich primary source collection at a truly exceptional value.Perspectives from the Past: Primary Sources in Western Civilizations features a diverse range of primary sources for analysis; offering a total of 225 classic and contemporary documents of varying length. The Sixth Edition’s table of contents has been reorganized to mirror Western Civilizations’ chronology and emphasis on the global context for the West―a revision process overseen by Joshua Cole and Carol Symes; our dynamic co-authors of Western Civilizations; Full and Brief Editions. Selections are largely informed by instructor feedback; reflecting the documents most widely assigned in the course and rendering Perspectives from the Past the most extensive and diverse reader available.
#963519 in Books W. W. Norton Company 2011-08-22Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.60 x 1.70 x 6.60l; 2.34 #File Name: 0393076652640 pagesGreat product!
Review
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Political yearBy tc50At first; I had a hard time following the story but then I got into the author's style. What I find interesting is reading this book during an election year. If there is truth in this book; then believe me; history repeats itself. In the 1700; and as a developing country; we broke many English laws. Smuggling and trading illegal goods was at the top of the list. What developing economies are doing today; early Americans did back then. That being said; Ethan Allen was a very interesting man who challenged fundamental religiious views as well as revolted against a demanding government. I recommend this book to any one interested in understanding early Americans and the challenges a developing country faces.32 of 34 people found the following review helpful. An excellent read!By Joseph C. BenningAs an avid student of Vermont history; I thought I had read everything there was to read about Ethan Allen. I was therefore apprehensive about buying another book on the subject; but I'm certainly glad I did. This book is one of the best! Randall weaves Allen's life around the many forces that were in play during the latter part of the eighteenth century; providing context to what made Allen tick. Thoroughly researched and laden with first-hand accounts from Allen's contemporaries; the book makes it is easy to understand his dynamic personality. Randall's writing style made it an absolute pleasure to digest several chapters in one sitting and would then leave you anxious to return for more. I was so taken with the charming account of Allen's meeting of the woman who would become his second wife that I read the chapter out loud to my own wife- something I have never done with a book before. If you are looking for a wonderful book about a true American hero; this is it.Joe BenningVermont State SenatorCaledonia-Orange District1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Fascinating portrait of truly American "founding father"By Stella MatherI found the information in this biography extremely enlightening about pre-Revolutionary Connecticut; Vermont and New York. I live near where Ethan Allen was born; and my sister near where he died in Vermont; and I never knew how hard it was for those first emmigrants from Connecticut who went North searching for land. Even by mid-18th Century; the population had run out of room in the newly settled Litchfield County. I also had no idea how the Royal Govenor of New York New Hampshire tried to make ordinary farmer pay twice (or become sharecroppers) to build homesteads in Vermont. I always had an impression of Ethan Allen as a bit of a braggart; but he was very well-read (self-educated). He was ambitious; but also a hard worker as pioneer; statesman and soldier. He really was a "common" man who earned his revolutionary status without wealth or patronage. He single-handedly made Vermont the first truly independent state -- not just ex-colony -- in America.I see other reviewers mention details that are wrong about Bennington; VT; but I have to say everything I read about this part of CT was accurate; informative. The book is truly original for its broader portrait of how Americans became citizens rather than just British subjects. This is a perspective I have not read elsewhere before -- and I read a lot of New England history.
