Exploring history 1400–1900

Book excerpt: Exploring history 1400–1900: An anthology of primary sources reaches out to the reader across an expanse of 500 years. It offers a broad sweep of history in the light of three key themes: consumers and producers; beliefs and ideologies; and state-formation. Spanning continents and genres, the selection of documents illuminates the links between concurrent events in diverse places and illustrates the legacies of important social, religious and political trends. Previously unpublished accounts and newly translated material reveal new perspectives on both familiar and less well-known events. In capturing this spectrum of human activity and endeavour the book uniquely provides insights into the daily concerns and critical debates of the day, and the opportunity to engage with primary sources as tools for the knowledge creation and critical evaluation. It will be an essential companion to a wide range of courses in historical study and an engaging read for anyone interested in researching, reviewing or relating more closely to a rich historical past.