Global History: A Short Overview, and: The Origins of the Modern World: A Global and Ecological Narrative (review)
David R. Ringrose
Reviewed by: Global History: A Short Overview, and: The Origins of the Modern World: and Ecological Narrative David Ringrose Overview. By Noel Cowen. Cambridge: Polity Press, 2001. 213 + x pp. $24.95 (paper). Narrative. Robert B. Marks. Lanham, Md.: Rowman Littlefield, 2002. 172 xi $63.00 (cloth); $19.95 Both these two small books are remarkable for what they try to do accomplish. Each sets out an analytical framework that is accessible students while providing approach world history aspires be truly global. has some deficiencies, but often a reflection differences in geographical expertise between author reviewer. Cowen's short global built around four organizing ideas. His first conceptual tool dynamic dyad civilization globalization. derives from impulse toward permanent settlement; globalization, wider horizons. second premise settlement on way passes through three phases. Initially emphasis subsistence. As succeeds becomes complex, next phase features political solutions problems defining defending hegemonies created by success expanding settlement. This one aspect third involves belief. Belief systems encouraged manipulated elites strengthen internal security enhance loyalty outlying communities. principle chronology. In model passed periods or transitions constituted globally common experiences. These classical era modern era. They separated worldwide nomadic movement, migration, new Marked unrest, tribal intrusions, breakup large-scale polities, this transitional [End Page 519] was age anxiety marked religious yearning philosophical speculation. Out instability emerged fourth principle, great "civilized centers" era: China, Russia, Western Europe, Islam. half book, era, structured developmental phases (settlement, development, politically co-opted belief systems). part book relatively coherent. half, more specifically chronological less effective. It makes use mini-narratives with plethora names, dates, places. process slips into outdated summaries European expansion scientific industrial revolutions. ends catalogue aspects facilitating degree connectedness. accompanied ominous suggestions as faced bringing localized organization line realities geographic focal points cascade mini-narratives, rather dated bibliography reduce effectiveness book. One finds contradictory generalizations, characterizations Chinese imperialism. might hard follow readers without much knowledge history, limitation could make it American undergraduates. At same time, however, Cowen offers plausible phenomenon. Marks uses narrower framework, about 1400 present, he attempts narrate World. He deals largely unabashedly narrative "rise West." is, eschews assumptions inevitability dominance. Instead, characterizes outcome tension forces after 1400: nation-states capitalism. fairly close dilemma, relies concepts present avoiding economic determinism. First...
Journal of World History