Mar 31, 2016
In this episode, Matt and I
debut a new segment in this podcast called “Texting in Class.”
During this segment we review a popular world history textbook and
provide some insights into its strengths and weaknesses. We start
with one of Matt’s favorites, Robert Strayer’s Ways of the World.
After a brief discussion of the format and its suitability to the
new AP world history curriculum, we give glowing praise to its use
of visual sources (some dealing with representations of Buddha can
be found here) as well as its chapters on nomadic peoples and
European imperialism. In the second half of the episode we debate
the merits and challenges with narrative-heavy textbooks, before
examining his analysis of the origins of the global economy and the
Bantu migrations. Recommendations are:
Matt
– Hamalainen, The Comanche Empire
Dave
– Vansina, Paths in the Rainforest