Good addition to handbooks programme, no direct competitiors HIST section of ISA is growing each year Faced with an uncertain future, an increasing number of scholars have looked to the past for guidance, patterns and ideas. This tendency has been clear, despite theoretical and methodological difference, this book will fill a lacuna.

This book charts the process of civilisation in Japan. Using the theory of civilising processes developed by Norbert Elias, the author examines the complex underlying structural and psychological processes from the seventh century to the twentieth century. Furthermore, by drawing on rich historical data, the author illustrates how these complex processes led the Japanese to see themselves as ‘more civilised’ than their forebears and neighbouring countries. Although the theory serves as an important reference point, the author draws on other works to address different complex questions surrounding Japanese development. Therefore, this book presents three key themes: first, it gives an alternative understanding of the complex developments of Japanese society; second, it intercedes into an ongoing debate about the applicability of Elias’s theory in a non-Western context; and third, it expands Elias’s theory.

History Book

In 'The History of the Ancient Civilizations' by Max Duncker, readers are presented with a comprehensive exploration of various ancient civilizations from a scholarly perspective. Duncker's detailed analysis of the rise and fall of these civilizations, including their religious beliefs, social structures, and political systems, offers readers a deeper understanding of the complexities of ancient societies. Written in a clear and engaging style, this book serves as a valuable resource for anyone interested in history and anthropology, providing a thorough overview of key events and developments in ancient civilizations. Duncker's approach to storytelling is both informative and captivating, making this book a must-read for enthusiasts of ancient history. Max Duncker's background as a renowned historian and scholar gives him the expertise needed to craft this insightful and well-researched book. His passion for unraveling the mysteries of the past is evident throughout the pages, as he delves into the intricacies of ancient civilizations with precision and expertise. With its meticulous research and engaging narrative, 'The History of the Ancient Civilizations' is a compelling read that will broaden readers' knowledge and appreciation of the ancient world, making it a valuable addition to any history lover's bookshelf.

"A follow-up to the bestselling The Pursuit of History, this Reader brings together the reflections of a number of major historians on the nature and purpose of their craft. They illuminate the different governing assumptions - political, social, personal - that have sustained these leading practitioners in their studies, and show how different influences and methodologies have impacted on them. In so doing, the book not only gives an insight into the great variety of aspirations and convictions that animate History as a discipline, but also brings into focus the key historiographic trends of the English-speaking world since World War II." from publisher's website

The term “civilization” comes with considerable baggage, dichotomizing people, cultures, and histories as “civilized”—or not. While the idea of civilization has been deployed throughout history to justify all manner of interventions and sociopolitical engineering, few scholars have stopped to consider what the concept actually means. Here, Brett Bowden examines how the idea of civilization has informed our thinking about international relations over the course of ten centuries. From the Crusades to the colonial era to the global war on terror, this sweeping volume exposes “civilization” as a stage-managed account of history that legitimizes imperialism, uniformity, and conformity to Western standards, culminating in a liberal-democratic global order. Along the way, Bowden explores the variety of confrontations and conquests—as well as those peoples and places excluded or swept aside—undertaken in the name of civilization. Concluding that the “West and the rest” have more commonalities than differences,this provocative and engaging bookultimately points the way toward an authentic intercivilizational dialogue that emphasizes cooperation over clashes.

In 1962 Norbert Elias was invited as a temporary professor at the University of Ghana in Legon, Accra. He taught, employed fieldwork, travelled, and met many people in postcolonial Africa. When Elias left Ghana in 1964, he had laid the basic groundwork for a fundamental sociological argument on human societies. The volume on hand is a selection of his unpublished writings based on these experiences. Together they touch upon not only the well-known criticism of Eurocentrism and a developmental perspective but also what could be considered the core of Elias’s work: the concept of civilisation. In a foreword, Dieter Reicher and Adrian Jitschin have endeavoured to explain and break down the relations of Elias’s African experience to the rest of his work and biography. They also clarified some misleading interpretations of Elias’s time in Africa. Finally, Arjan Post has uncovered the previously unknown fascinating story of Elias’ encounter with Malcolm X in an epilogue.