This text explains why western civilization is worth knowing about. Taking a topical approach and stressing social and cultural themes, it asks, What is the West? and incorporates significant discussions of peoples and civilizations outside the boundaries of the West. Written by a single author, who understands the needs of typical college students, Western Civilization, 3/e is accompanied by rich visual images, numerous textual excerpts, provocative special features, and timelines, charts and maps that make the narrative even more accessible.