Based on the highly successful A History of Western Society; Understanding Western Society: A Brief History captures students’ interest in the everyday life of the past and ties social history to the broad sweep of politics and culture. Abridged by 30%; the narrative is paired with innovative pedagogy; designed to help students focus on significant developments as they read and review. An innovative; three-step end-of-Chapter study guide helps students master key facts and move toward synthesis.
#29896 in Books Picador 2011-08-02 2011-08-02Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.24 x .99 x 5.49l; .85 #File Name: 0312569378354 pagesGreat product!
Review
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. A FAMILY WORTHY OF BEING REMEMBEREDBy Gatas LargasMore than any account I have come across; this book depicts the horror a prominent; wealthy Jewish family experienced during the Nazi takeover of Eastern Europe. It also; on a very personal level; depicts the anti-semitism that existed long before the arrival of Hitler's army. Many of us grew up thinking that Hitler was some kind of aberration with his desire to obliterate the Jewish population when he was actually just fulfilling the fantasy of many people in many different parts of the world. I especially liked de Waal's way of exploring Paris; Vienna; Japan; England and Russia in order to physically stand in the places where events occurred. When he visited Odessa at the end of the book and realized that it wasn't the ghetto so often depicted; he turned the whole "Jewish question" on its head. Coincidentally I watched the film "The Woman in Gold"; another true story of loss in the Ringstrasse of Vienna; and it served to further fill in the history we are never taught in schools. By focusing on the netsukes his ancestor collected rather than one particular family member; he managed to avoid an over-sentimentalized look at the time period. His clear-eyed recounting of events revealed a family of resilience; hope and strength--a family that survived through adaptation as well as assimilation.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Keeping it closeBy silversidesThis is a handsome paperback volume. I love the feel of the paper pages and the heavier smooth; cool-feeling (like netsuke) cover. Holding the book to read is a pleasure. The sketches of netsuke are fittingly small for the small art form they represent. They are refreshing and enjoyable; though not really illustrations in the sense of full- or half-page pictures.The story is fascinating. Contrasting the calm; cool netsuke with the clamor and devastation of war has forever changed my view of history. Keeping track of the various sites of war and family required more attention than I give television. And the resulting involvement is worth it.My earlier hard cover version got away; but this fitting replacement will be kept close.2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. The objects got lost... but the family tale is captivatingBy yoniThis book reminded me of the movie The Red Violin; which traced an instrument throughout its life of 4 centuries. The netsuke collection in this book is harder to connect with; as it contains >250 pieces; each possibly with its own story and so the tale can only begin logically with a collection rather than at the source of each piece. Which is why that part of the tale is weak or nonexistent; rather intangible; and ultimately makes the story fall flat at the end as there is very little to connect the objects between the then and now. Also the violin was intimately interwoven with its owners' lives as it is not just a tactile piece of art but an instrument of music-making; a livelihood.That being said; the Euro-centric journeys of the objects and their owners are compelling on their own; and; if he were willing to let go a bit; the author might have been able to make a more cohesive framework around just that storyline. The history and drama make for some very satisfying moments.I don't understand the need to posses objects or the joy it brings people; and I didn't dig all the French jargon. At times; especially in the climax of the story; I felt the netsuke and objects in general were more important to this family than the people around them. I'm not sure that was a point the author was trying to make about himself or his ancestors. Which depressed me.
