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Review
| The Oxford Atlas of World History, by Patrick K. O'Brien, ed. New York, New York: Oxford University Press, 2002. 312 pages. $45.00, hardback.
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| This Oxford Atlas of World History is an invaluable tool in the contemporary world history classroom. Its editors argue in their forward that "World histories cannot be taught or read without a clear comprehension of the chronologies and regional parameters within which different empires, states and people have evolved over time." I agree with this argument and find that this text provides a clear, concise, comprehensive and colorful portrayal of world history. In comparison to other atlases that I have encountered, this one is by far the most accessible. The organization aligns clearly with the National Standards for World History as well as the Advanced Placement World History curriculum. The units are written chronologically and the maps and illustrations are relevant to content standards. |
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The wide scope of world history content knowledge can be overwhelming for teachers and students. This text provides "the big picture" of world history in one manageable source. The text includes 450 maps, 160 illustrations, and short articles on topics ranging from the "Spread of Hominids" to "Deforestation of the 20th Century." The book is divided into five sections: The Ancient World, The Medieval World, The Early Modern World, The Age of Revolutions and The Twentieth Century. The articles are two pages at most and simple reading. They provide a brief overview of the stated topic and use maps and illustrations to clarify the topic. According to the editors, the goal of the atlas is to allow students to see "connections and make comparisons across continents and civilizations." Although the brief articles do not always point out these connections and comparisons, the format provides a simple means for educators to make these comparisons and to help their students make comparisons. For example, there is a brief article on "The British in India" and an article on "The Partition of Africa." Teachers and/or the students can read both of these articles and make connections about the reasons for imperialism in Africa and India and its differing impacts. The text is supplemented by the maps, which show resources for each area and a timeline of colonization. The maps and illustrations could be used independently as well. Students could be asked to come to conclusions about the causes for imperialism simply by looking at the resources in each area. This type of analysis could be done in every type of classroom from Advanced Placement to an English Language Learner class. |
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The format of the book is particularly appealing for K-12 educators because it spans the curriculum of multiple grade levels. For example, the National Standards for World History require students to understand the rise of the Mongol Empire and its consequences for Eurasian peoples, 1200–1350. This Atlas of World History includes a chapter on the Mongol Empire that describes its origins, its successes, its impact on the region and its eventual decline. Although the article does not go into details, it provides a general overview of the topic. This atlas also provides an excellent review of material students may have encountered in earlier grades. As a teacher of Advanced Placement World History classses, I find it very useful. It provides me with a starting point for class discussions, excellent visual aids and a good review guide for students for the final AP exam for students. I highly recommend this text for the classroom and the home. It has already become an invaluable resource in my room. |
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| Orange County High School of the Arts, Santa Ana, California |
Kari Hurley |
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