General History for Colleges and High Schools   By: Philip Van Ness Myers

In his textbook General History for Colleges and High Schools, Philip Van Ness Myers provides an educational resource that is comprehensive, informative, and engaging.

One notable aspect of Myers' book is the depth of information it offers. The author covers a vast array of historical events and periods, ranging from ancient civilizations to modern times. This extensive coverage ensures that readers gain a well-rounded understanding of world history, making it valuable not only for students but also for those who have a general interest in the subject.

Another strength of Myers' book lies in its organization. The text is divided into chapters that clearly delineate different historical eras. This structure makes it easy for readers to navigate through the content, locate specific periods or events, and follow the chronology of history. Additionally, each chapter provides a concise introduction, overview, and summary, enhancing the book's accessibility and usability.

Moreover, Myers' writing style is concise and straightforward. He avoids unnecessary jargon and complex language, making the book easily accessible to students at various grade levels. Despite this simplicity, the author skillfully presents historical events in an engaging manner, cultivating an interest in the subject matter and encouraging further exploration.

The inclusion of numerous images, maps, and illustrations also enhances the book's educational value. These visual aids not only add color and depth to the text but also help readers visualize key locations, understand geographical influences, and better comprehend historical contexts.

However, there are a few areas where General History for Colleges and High Schools could be improved. Some readers may find the lack of in-depth analysis or critical interpretation limiting, as the book primarily focuses on presenting factual information. While this may be suitable for a textbook used in an instructional setting, a more nuanced examination of certain historical events or themes would have further enriched the reading experience.

Furthermore, the book's length and sheer volume of information may be overwhelming for some readers. The density of the content, though necessary to cover such a vast span of history, might benefit from supplemental study guides or resources to support comprehension and retention.

In conclusion, General History for Colleges and High Schools by Philip Van Ness Myers is an exemplary educational resource for students and individuals interested in gaining a comprehensive understanding of world history. Myers' systematic approach, clear writing style, and extensive coverage of historical events make this book a valuable addition to any history curriculum or personal library. While there are minor areas for improvement, the overall quality and educational value of this textbook are unquestionable.

First Page:

Considering the very general character of the present work, an enumeration of the books that have contributed facts to my narration, or have helped to mould my views on this or that subject, would hardly be looked for; yet I wish here to acknowledge my special indebtedness, in the earlier parts of the history, to the works of George Rawlinson, Sayce, Wilkinson, Brugsch, Grote, Curtius, Mommsen, Merivale, and Leighton; and in the later parts, and on special periods, to the writings of Hodgkin, Emerton, Ranke, Freeman, Michaud, Bryce, Symonds, Green (J. R.), Motley, Hallam, Thiers, Lecky, Baird, and Müller... Continue reading book >>