World History. Cultures, States, and Societies to 1500

OpenStax covers early humans through 1500, tracing the first cities, classical empires and the trade networks that linked Asia, Africa and Europe. Heavily illustrated with maps, timelines and chapter assessments.

Ann Kordas, Ryan J. Lynch, Brooke Nelson

A concise introduction to the ancient Near East, covering Assyria, Babylon, Persia and the empires that shaped the region before Greece and Rome. Short enough to read in one sitting.

D. G. Hogarth

Translations of ancient Egyptian and Assyrian inscriptions, letters and royal records, presented with editorial notes. A primary source reader for anyone who wants to read the ancient world in its own words.

A. H. Sayce

Huizinga's study of life, thought and art in fourteenth and fifteenth century Europe, and of how the medieval world gave way to the Renaissance. A landmark of cultural history.

Johan Huizinga