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Teacher
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Editors' note: This feature is meant to provide practical, although not
unbiased, reviews of textbooks based on experience in the classroom. Readers
will note that the teachers who wrote these reviews differ widely in terms
of what they seek in a textbook. Moreover, these reviews are not meant to
advocate or discourage the adoption of any one text. Rather, they
seek to begin a dialogue about textbook use that we hope will continue long
past the posting of this issue. Indeed, we would like to encourage other
teachers—both at the secondary and at the university-level—
to send us comparable reviews of texts for inclusion in later issues of
World History Connected. |
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Jerry Bentley and Herb Ziegler, Traditions and Encounters: A Global Perspective
on the Past, 3rd edition, Volumes I and II (McGraw-Hill,
2006).
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Advanced Placement World History is about
connections, conjunctures and comparisons. Jerry Bentley's and
Herb Ziegler's Traditions and Encounters does an excellent job at
presenting these themes in a way that can be mastered by high school students.
The book tells a story that catches a student's attention and makes the
material manageable by personalizing the history through introductory anecdotes,
historical figures, visuals and primary sources. Although the foundation
section is still too extensive, the text provides an excellent narrative
and analytical presentation. Traditions develops the connections
and patterns of world history through a series of chapters that focus on
networks, interactions and movements. Another strength of the book is its
comparative perspective: for example, one chapter explores similarities
in the Atlantic Revolutions, and another focuses on the reactions of the
Ottoman, Qing, and Russians to westernization. That said, our students found
that this comparative organization was confusing when used in chapters dealing
with the Chinese dynasties and the Islamic empires. Nevertheless, Bentley
and Ziegler present a truly global perspective (i.e. the treatment of the
industrial revolution, World War I and other 20th century topics.)
Most importantly, the scope and sequence of the book is compatible
with that of the AP curriculum. |
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We have used this book successfully at the
sophomore and junior level. Students will need strong reading and cognitive
skills to master the text. The book has an inviting layout, with a
single column design, sub-sections and notes in the margins to guide students
to the main ideas. Unfamiliar terms are italicized, and there is a glossary
and pronunciation guide at the back of the book. Colorful illustrations
and maps add to the appeal of the book, although the placement of the title
and dates on the maps is often missed by the students since it is not prominent.
The book also includes timelines, chapter introductions, and
resources for further reading. |
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The book is accompanied with standard ancillary
materials. Support for the students includes a CD-ROM and an Online Learning
Center with interactive maps, outlines, study questions and the like.
Students can access writing tips, comprehensive and recall questions, primary
sources, glossaries and more. The teacher supports include a computerized
test bank, instructor's manual, online help, transparencies, and correlations
to state objectives. We hope, however, that the 3rd edition
test generator is easy to edit, and most importantly includes multiple choice
questions that focus on the comparisons and connections over major themes
instead of the details of individual chapters. Despite this flaw, over all
we find that Traditions and Encounters effectively meets the content
and habits of mind of the AP World curriculum. |
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Ellen Bell and Angela Sperotto
Bellaire Senior High School
Houston, TX |
