Conquering the World: A Global History of European Expansion, 1415-2015 (Three-Volume Set)

Over the course of 600 years, Europeans reached every corner of the world, occupying and exploiting it. At the same time, they provided many of the forces that shaped our modern world, both as catalysts and as recipients of influence. Since European expansion was not a one-way process but a centuries-long interaction, Wolfgang Reinhard’s monumental work explores what made it unique before globalization. This renowned historian describes the process from Europe’s expansion in antiquity through the Middle Ages and into twentieth-century colonialism: the expansion of power across time and space before the emergence of world history. Whether discussing Asia’s trading systems, the labor of plantation slaves, the ecological impact of European expansion, or the conflicts over its political legacy, he draws on rich historical knowledge and writes in an engaging style that appeals to readers beyond Europe.