This comprehensive, mainstream text takes a social approach to history, using political history as its basic framework. It is known for its readability, its attention to recent scholarship, and its new historical interpretations.

The new edition features increased coverage of global topics. Material on the Middle Ages has been consolidated to allow more room for non-Western coverage. Chapter 27 from the previous edition, which covered both Africa and Asia, has been split into separate chapters on each region. Chapter 11 from the previous edition—on Asia and the Mongols—has been divided into separate chapters on East and South Asia.

• New! Two-page "Global Trade" boxed features investigate a variety of important products and commodities, including pottery, tea, slaves, and oil. The feature presents historical background on the commodity, traces its trade throughout the world, and shows its impact on other cultures.
• New! New pedagogy in the Sixth Edition includes key terms, chapter outlines, and chronologies.
• New! About one-third of the maps, illustrations, "Listening to the Past" primary source features, and "Individuals in Society" biographical features in this edition are new.