Publisher's Synopsis
Before spawning the dual--and sometimes dueling--behemoths of democracy and capitalism that have become integral to much of the Western world, the European continent was largely comprised of disparate villages, city-states, and kingdoms, with little to unite them. Over time, political, social, and economic philosophies emerged to transform kingdoms into empires. This engaging series takes a broad look at the events, movements, and ideas that created and sustained the countries of Europe, from prehistory through the Renaissance, from the modern era to the present European Union. - Plentiful use of images emphasizes the significance of influential art, artifacts, and individuals throughout the ages - Detailed sidebars supplement the scholarly and accessible narrative text - Covers historical and current events
