For introductory courses in Western Civilization. These texts explain why western civilization is worth knowing about. Taking a topical approach, they stress social and cultural themes, they ask, "What is the West?", and incorporates significant discussion of peoples and civilizations outside the boundaries of the West. Written by a single author, who understands the needs of typical college students, Western Civilization, 2/e is accompanied by rich visual images, numerous textual excerpts, provocative special features, and timelines, charts and maps that make the narrative even more accessible.