Contemporary World History

Duiker's comprehensive, balanced history of the world in the twentieth and twenty-first centuries provides you with context for interpreting the events that you hear about in the news each day. You'll view history from the broader global perspective, while at the same time gaining insight into the distinct character of individual civilizations and regions. To ensure that you'll have a well-rounded understanding of the most decisive moments in recent times, Duiker integrates political, economic, social, and cultural history into a smoothly written narrative. The Fifth Edition text includes a special insert that guides you in using the text's many detailed maps and helps you learn how to make important connections between geography and the turn of historic events. Additional tools include timelines that highlight and contrast different cultures and nations--giving you an "at-a-glance," holistic perspective on eras and their defining events; photos from William Duiker's own collection for a closer, more personal look at the world we live in; and primary-source documents that illustrate and clarify key points.

Table of Contents:
Part I: NEW WORLD IN THE MAKING. 1. The Rise Of Industrial Society In The West. 2. The High Tide Of Imperialism: Africa And Asia In An Era Of Western Dominance. 3. Shadows Over The Pacific: East Asia Under Challenge. Reflection: Part I. Part II: CULTURES IN COLLISION. 4. War And Revolution: World War I And Its Aftermath. 5. Nationalism, Revolution, And Dictatorship: Africa, Asia, And Latin America From 1919 To 1939. 6. The Crisis Deepens: The Outbreak Of World War II. Reflection: Part II. Part III: ACROSS THE IDEOLOGICAL DIVIDE. 8. The United States, Canada, And Latin America. 9. Brave New World: The Rise And Fall Of Communism In The Soviet Union And Eastern Europe. 10. Postwar Europe: On The Path To Unity? 11. Toward The Pacific Century? Japan And The Little Tigers Reflection: Part III. Part IV: THIRD WORLD RISING. 12 The East Is Red: China Under Communism. 13 Nationalism Triumphant: The Emergence Of Independent States In South And Southeast Asia. 14 Emerging Africa. 15. Ferment In The Middle East. Reflection: Part IV Part V: THE NEW MILLENIUM. 16. Constructing A New World Order. Suggested Reading. Index

About the Author :
William J. Duiker is liberal arts Professor Emeritus of East Asian studies at The Pennsylvania State University. A former U.S. diplomat with service in Taiwan, South Vietnam, and Washington, D.C., he received his doctorate in Far Eastern history from Georgetown University in 1968, where his dissertation dealt with the Chinese educator and reformer Cai Yuanpei. At Penn State, he has written extensively on the history of Vietnam and modern China, including the highly acclaimed COMMUNIST ROAD TO POWER IN VIETNAM (revised edition, Westview Press, 1996), which was selected for a Choice Outstanding Academic Book Award in 1982-1983 and 1996-1997. Other recent books are CHINA AND VIETNAM: THE ROOTS OF CONFLICT (Berkeley, 1987), U.S. CONTAINMENT POLICY AND THE CONFLICT IN INDOCHINA (Stanford, 1995), SACRED WAR: NATIONALISM AND REVOLUTION IN A DIVIDED VIETNAM (McGraw-Hill, 1995), and HO CHI MINH (Hyperion, 2000), which was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize in 2001. While his research specialization is in the field of nationalism and Asian revolutions, his intellectual interests are considerably more diverse. He has traveled widely and has taught courses on the history of communism and non-Western civilizations at Penn State, where he was awarded a Faculty Scholar Medal for Outstanding Achievement in the spring of 1996. In 2002, the College of Liberal Arts honored him with an Emeritus Distinction Award.

Review :
Part I: NEW WORLD IN THE MAKING. 1. The Rise Of Industrial Society In The West. 2. The High Tide Of Imperialism: Africa And Asia In An Era Of Western Dominance. 3. Shadows Over The Pacific: East Asia Under Challenge. Reflection: Part I. Part II: CULTURES IN COLLISION. 4. War And Revolution: World War I And Its Aftermath. 5. Nationalism, Revolution, And Dictatorship: Africa, Asia, And Latin America From 1919 To 1939. 6. The Crisis Deepens: The Outbreak Of World War II. Reflection: Part II. Part III: ACROSS THE IDEOLOGICAL DIVIDE. 8. The United States, Canada, And Latin America. 9. Brave New World: The Rise And Fall Of Communism In The Soviet Union And Eastern Europe. 10. Postwar Europe: On The Path To Unity? 11. Toward The Pacific Century? Japan And The Little Tigers Reflection: Part III. Part IV: THIRD WORLD RISING. 12 The East Is Red: China Under Communism. 13 Nationalism Triumphant: The Emergence Of Independent States In South And Southeast Asia. 14 Emerging Africa. 15. Ferment In The Middle East. Reflection: Part IV Part V: THE NEW MILLENIUM. 16. Constructing A New World Order. Suggested Reading. Index