A History of World Civilization (Second Edition, Volumes One and Two)

This is the first history of world civilization written collaboratively by scholars from China. Taking the development of productive forces as its central theme, the book divides the history of human civilization into three stages: agricultural civilization, the rise of industrial civilization, and the global expansion of industrial civilization. It describes the evolution of different types of civilization. Over this long process, every civilization has continued to change and develop, while preserving certain essential features that define its character. Civilizations have developed at different speeds, each evolving independently in its particular environment in response to changing internal and external conditions. They have also engaged in extensive and profound exchanges, influencing one another and creating a powerful force for human progress. These exchanges have taken many forms and produced varied outcomes: civilizations have rejected and clashed with one another, but have also absorbed and integrated each other’s ideas. In the foreseeable future, civilization will continue to develop through unity in diversity. Since its publication in 2004, this book has received praise from all walks of life. As the publication contract is about to expire, the authors have been invited to revise the contents for a new edition.