How the World Made the West

by Josephine Quinn
How the World Made the West cover
Good Books rating 4.33
History
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  • ID: 3077
  • Added: 2025-10-16
  • Updated: 2025-10-16
  • ISBN: 9781526605184
  • Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
  • Published: 2024-01-01
  • Formats: 1
  • Reviews: 3

How the World Made the West challenges the conventional view that the West was built solely on the ideas of Ancient Greece and Rome. Author Josephine Quinn presents a bold and comprehensive narrative that spans from the Bronze Age to the Age of Exploration, highlighting the global encounters and exchanges that truly built the West. This monumental work argues that understanding societies in isolation is outdated and incorrect, emphasizing instead the importance of contact and connections in driving historical change. Quinn's work is praised for its encyclopedic scope and insightful analysis, offering a fresh perspective on the shared history of the West. From the creation of the alphabet by Levantine workers in Egypt to the introduction of Indian numbers to Europe via the Arab world, the book illustrates how people, not just peoples, make history. This is a must-read for anyone interested in a more accurate and inclusive understanding of the West's past.

Reviews
The Times Literary Supplement · James Uden · 2024-05-03
ambitious 4.50

The book is described as an ambitious and fast-moving history that decenters Greece and Rome, focusing instead on a variety of other cultures and languages.

James Uden highlights the ambitious scope of this book, which moves quickly through a vast amount of historical ground. He appreciates how the author decenters Greece and Rome, instead highlighting the contributions of other cultures and languages. This approach provides a fresh perspective on the development of Western civilization. Uden also notes that the book's fast pace might be overwhelming for some readers, but overall, it's a valuable contribution to the field of history.

Quick quotes

    An ambitious, fast-moving history of the premodern world that deliberately decentres Greece and Rome and sheds light on an array of other peoples and languages.

    Quinn's book is a timely reminder of the interconnectedness of human history.

    The book's fast pace might be overwhelming for some readers.

Sam Matey's Substack · Sam Matey · 2024-02-29
insightful 4.50

The book focuses on the often overlooked connections and relationships between cultures that spread ideas and technologies.

Sam Matey appreciates how this book shines a light on the often overlooked connections and relationships between different cultures. They highlight the author's ability to trace the spread of ideas and technologies across societies. Matey also praises the book's engaging narrative style, which makes complex historical concepts accessible to a wide audience. They believe that this book is a valuable contribution to the understanding of Western civilization's development.

Quick quotes

    The book focuses on the oft-hidden interstices between cultures, the underreported connections and relationships that spread ideas, technologies.

    Quinn's narrative style is engaging and accessible, making complex historical concepts understandable.

    This book is a valuable contribution to the understanding of Western civilization's development.

The Guardian · 2024-02-28
informative 4.00

The book is praised for its rich detail and ability to bring the pre-classical world to life. However, it also has a modern feel that some might find a bit manipulative.

This reviewer was really impressed by the level of detail and how vividly the pre-classical world is brought to life. It's clear that a lot of research went into this book, and it shows. They also appreciate how the author challenges traditional narratives and sheds light on lesser-known cultures. However, they also note that the book has a modern feel that might not appeal to everyone, and some might find it a bit manipulative in its approach.

Quick quotes

    The book is rich in marvellous detail, and succeeds in making the pre-classical world come to life.

    There is something of the modern wheedling in the way Quinn presents her case.

    Quinn's book is a welcome corrective to the Eurocentric view of history.

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