The primary goal of World Civilizations is to present a truly global history—since the development of agriculture and herding to the present. Using a unique periodization, this book divides the main periods of human history according to changes in the nature and extent of global contacts.

This global world history text emphasizes the major stages in the interactions among different peoples and societies, while also assessing the development of major societies.  Presenting social and cultural as well as political and economic aspects, the book examines key civilizations in world history.  World Civilizations balances this discussion of independent developments in the world's major civilizations with comparative analysis of the results of global contact.