Although this brief edition is two-thirds the length of its full-length counterpart, it retains coverage of all major themes and provides a truly global perspective on world history, without over-emphasizing Europe or the U.S. The Earth and Its Peoples focuses on the interaction of human beings and the environment, using this central theme to compare different times, places, and societies. Special emphasis is given to technology and how technological development underlies all human activity. Ideal for one-semester survey courses or courses for which instructors want to supplement their textbook with many primary sources, this text has been carefully abbreviated to maintain the essential narrative of world history. Key pedagogical elements have also been retained. Specific areas of improved coverage include the steam engine in Chapter 20, as well as the inclusion of recent events and developments throughout the world. Structural updates include the reorganization of Chapters 2 and 3, and a new Chapter 11, "Mongol Eurasia and Its Aftermath," which combines the chapters on Western and Eastern Eurasia. New and Updated! Specific areas of improved coverage include the steam engine in Chapter 20, as well as the inclusion of recent events and developments throughout the world. New! Structural updates include the reorganization of Chapters 2 and 3, and a new Chapter 11, "Mongol Eurasia and Its Aftermath," which combines the chapters on Western and Eastern Eurasia. New! Now, in addition to the interaction of human beings and their environment, the text also examines "Diversity and Dominance." These boxed excerpts include primary sources that explore the structures of domination in every society, as well as the many ways in which human diversity has continued to express itself regardless of these forms of dominance. "Environment and Technology" boxes appear in one-half of the chapters. These boxed features reinforce the central theme of the text by highlighting and comparing technological developments over time. New! A new feature called "Issues in World History" has been added at the end of each part. Each of these seven essays explores cutting-edge areas of research in global history. Topics include animal domestication, processes of religious conversion, famine and disease, and climate change. Enhanced! Blackboard/WebCT course cartridges offer text-specific content to help instructors save time creating assignments and exams. New to this edition, customizable online homework features essay and multiple-choice questions based on chapter concepts. Other resources include a test bank and content for lectures/discussions, map exercises for practice and reinforcement of geography skills, and additional questions related to in-text features.