SKU: 97289444711

How the World Made the West

Sale price$34.20 Regular price$38.00
Save 10%

Shipping Estimate
USA
  • USA
  • CAN

Ships within 48 hours · Estimated delivery Jul 12 - Jul 17

Promo Codes Available:

For Your Every Summer RSVP, with Code: SUMMER15

Description

How the World Made the West592 pages hardcover An award winning Cambridge history professor makes a forceful argument and tells a story with great verve (The Wall Street Journal)that the West is, and always has been, truly global. Those archaic Western Civ classes so many of us took in college should be updated, argues Quinn, [who] invites us to . . . revel in a richer, more polyglot inheritance.The Boston Globe AN ECONOMIST BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR LONGLISTED FOR THE CUNDILL

592 pages | hardcover

 

An award-winning Cambridge history professor “makes a forceful argument and tells a story with great verve” (The Wall Street Journal)—that the West is, and always has been, truly global.


“Those archaic ‘Western Civ’ classes so many of us took in college should be updated, argues Quinn, [who] invites us to . . . revel in a richer, more polyglot inheritance.”—The Boston Globe


AN ECONOMIST BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR • LONGLISTED FOR THE CUNDILL HISTORY PRIZE


In How the World Made the West, Josephine Quinn poses perhaps the most significant challenge ever to the “civilizational thinking” regarding the origins of Western culture—that is, the idea that civilizations arose separately and distinctly from one another. Rather, she locates the roots of the modern West in everything from the law codes of Babylon, Assyrian irrigation, and the Phoenician art of sail to Indian literature, Arabic scholarship, and the metalworking riders of the Steppe, to name just a few examples.


According to Quinn, reducing the backstory of the modern West to a narrative that focuses on Greece and Rome impoverishes our view of the past. This understanding of history would have made no sense to the ancient Greeks and Romans themselves, who understood and discussed their own connections to and borrowings from others. They consistently presented their own culture as the result of contact and exchange. Quinn builds on the writings they left behind with rich analyses of other ancient literary sources like the epic of Gilgamesh, holy texts, and newly discovered records revealing details of everyday life. A work of breathtaking scholarship, How the World Made the West also draws on the material culture of the times in art and artifacts as well as findings from the latest scientific advances in carbon dating and human genetics to thoroughly debunk the myth of the modern West as a self-made miracle.


In lively prose and with bracing clarity, as well as through vivid maps and color illustrations, How the World Made the West challenges the stories the West continues to tell about itself. It redefines our understanding of the Western self and civilization in the cosmopolitan world of today.

Shipping Notes
  • Free Standard Shipping on $100+ Orders to the USA.
  • Except Preorder products are shipped in 48 hours.
  • Delivery to the USA:
  1. Standard Shipping : 3-10 business days
  • If time is of the essence, please consider selecting expedited delivery for faster service.
Exchange/Return Notes
  • We offer a 30-day return/exchange service after receiving.
  • Final sale items are not eligible for returns or exchanges.
  • To process your return/exchange, please contact us at [email protected]
  • Please click here for more details>>> Return & Exchange Policy
SKU: 97289444711

Discover Niche Categories That Outsell

Top-Converting Item to Boost Your Average Order

4.5 ★★★★★
Based on 1232 reviews
Sort
Highest Rating
Newest First
Oldest First
Product Reviews
K
Verified Purchase
Keri
Lexington, US
★★★★★ 5
luxurious!
Size: Queen (90-Inch-by-90-Inch), Color: Dark Grey
I am absolutely in love with this plush blanket! The fabric is unbelievably soft and cozy—like being wrapped in a cloud. It’s the perfect weight: not too heavy, but warm enough to keep me comfortable on chilly nights. The quality really impressed me; even after a few washes, it hasn’t shed or lost that silky softness. I’ve been using it on our couch, and it instantly makes the space feel more inviting. The color is rich and beautiful, exactly as pictured, and it adds a nice touch of style to my living room. If you’re looking for a blanket that feels luxurious but also practical for everyday use, this one is it. I’ve already ordered a second one for my bedroom because I don’t want to share!
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on August 23, 2025
N
Verified Purchase
Nicole
Birmingham, US
★★★★★ 5
LOVE
Size: Queen (90-Inch-by-90-Inch), Color: Checkered Green
We love this blanket! By we I mean us and the dogs. It’s sooooo soft, a good size, warm, and has held up surprisingly well for what we have put it through. It has gone camping, to the mountains, and been dragged all around the house by dogs. No rips or tears! Great color, design and quality!
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on March 1, 2026
S
Verified Purchase
Stephanie
Omaha, US
★★★★★ 5
Comfy
Size: Queen (90-Inch-by-90-Inch), Color: Dark Grey
Very soft and affordable, not as thick as I wanted, but still very soft and comfortable
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on May 10, 2026
H
Verified Purchase
Holy_Ghost
Louisville, US
★★★★★ 4
Comfy and warm
Size: Queen (90-Inch-by-90-Inch), Color: Dark Grey
This Soft Queen Size Blanket is very comfortable and lives up to its warm and fuzzy feel. The microplush material is soft on the skin and lightweight, making it suitable for use in all seasons. It keeps you warm without feeling too heavy, which is great for sleeping or relaxing on the couch. The dark gray color looks clean and modern and fits well with different room styles. The size is generous and covers a queen bed nicely. I gave it four stars because it could be a bit thicker for extra warmth on very cold nights, but overall it is a good quality blanket and worth the purchase.
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on January 6, 2026
G
Verified Purchase
Geneva
Carnegie, US
★★★★★ 5
Soft material
Size: Queen (90-Inch-by-90-Inch), Color: Purple
Nice blanket at a reasonable price.
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on May 28, 2026

recommand products