SKU: 97289444711

How the World Made the West

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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.

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SKU: 97289444711

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Mike Shipman
San Leandro, US
★★★★★ 4
Sturdy and well made
I have yet to use this jig, but on initial inspection it is well made and no doubt will withstand a lot of use. The machining of the threads was rough on the one I received, but after screwing in the guides a couple times the operation became smoother. Probably lack of cleanup after anodizing left in the threads. Other than that it looks like it will be useful and longer lasting than many of the plastic jigs out there.
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Reviewed in the United States on July 26, 2023
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Don
Alexandria, US
★★★★★ 5
Easy to use
I built a bookshelf for my grandson and wanted adjustable shelves. This jig did the trick. Very easy to use, and a lot of adjustability. I have other tools by goingmake and they all are well made and affordable.
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Reviewed in the United States on August 30, 2025
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Riley
Omaha, US
★★★★★ 5
Works very well and holds up over time!
This works really well for drilling out shelf pins! The drill bit that comes with it is a good quality bit, and the holes in the metal block are very strong, The drill bit doesn't even come close to cutting into them. I have drilled about 1000 holes with it so far, and it still works as good as it did when it was brand new! I would definitely recommend this over the plastic ones. It's very easy to use, as well.
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Reviewed in the United States on June 27, 2025
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Steven K
Alexandria, US
★★★★★ 5
Great item
Size: 9 Holes
Works great Would be nice to have another peg to make sure it stays in line. Just used a drill bit of the same size. Worth the investment
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Reviewed in the United States on March 4, 2026
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Kindle Customer
Fort Morgan, US
★★★★★ 5
Game-Changer for Clean, Accurate Shelf Pin Holes!
This shelf pin jig absolutely delivered on everything I needed — the ease of use was fantastic right out of the box. Once I got the layout aligned, drilling was quick and precise. The accuracy is impressive, with clean, straight holes every time, and the included bits worked like a charm. The design is clever, compact, and durable — the aluminum plate feels premium and makes it easy to keep things straight. I love the versatility too; switching between 5mm and 1/4" bits was fast, and the guide holes are clearly labeled. The size is ideal for cabinets, bookcases, and even tighter spaces where a bulky jig wouldn’t fit. For anyone needing quick, repeatable shelf pin drilling, this jig speeds up the use and keeps your project moving fast without compromising quality. If you're doing any custom shelving or cabinet work, this is a must-have tool that saves time and eliminates guesswork.
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Reviewed in the United States on May 13, 2025

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