The West: Encounters & Transformationstakes a new approach to telling the story of Western Civilization. Rather than looking at Western Civilization only as the history of Europe from ancient times to the present, this groundbreaking book examines the changing nature of the West—how the definition of the West has evolved and transformed throughout history. It explores the ways Western civilization has changed as a result of cultural encounters with different beliefs, ideas, technologies, and peoples, both outside the West and within it. Presenting a balanced treatment of political, social, religious, and cultural history, this text emphasizes the ever-shifting boundaries of the geographic and cultural realm of the West.

With 56 additional maps, The West: Encounters and Transformations, Second Edition, Atlas Edition, helps students with geography, one of the most difficult aspects of Western Civilization courses for many. Four-color and outline maps accompanied by review questions call on students to identify important geographical areas and think critically about the connection between geography and historical events. The maps are on perforated pages and are organized by chapter so that they can be easily assigned and collected. Other than the additional perforated maps, the Atlas Edition of The West, 2/e, is identical to The West, 2/e.