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The essential elements of the Western tradition (Volume 2)
This is the fifth edition of Volume II of "The Western Humanities" by Roy Matthews and F. DeWitt Platt, covering the cultural achievements of Western civilization in terms of art, music, literature, philosophy, theater, film, and the other arts, from the Renaissance to the Present. The two chapters on the Renaissance are in both volumes of "The Western Humanities," which allows for institutional differences on where various schools decide to break the study of Western humanities into two courses. However, what attracted me to "The Western Civilization" was that in addition to the two textbooks, there were not only a pair of additional books with readings from literature and philosophy, but also a CD with music.

For example, when studying the Age of Reason (1700-1789) students will learn about the Enlightenment, the great powers, and cultural trends in Chapter 16 of this textbook. In the companion collection of readings they will read Pope's "Essay on Man," along with excerpts from Voltaire's "Candide," Rousseau's Confessions," Kant's "Answer to the Question: What is Enlightenment," and Wollstonescrft's "A Vindication of the Rights of Woman." Then, on the companion CD, they would get to listen to Mozart's "Eine kleine Nachtmusik" and Haydn's "Surprise" Symphony No. 94.

As the fifth edition of "The Western Humanities, Volume II: The Renaissance to the Present," emphasizing the linkages between cultural expression and historical conditions. Previous editions had expanded coverage of the contributions of women and other artists outside the traditional canon and added a multicultural dimension that looked at what was happening outside the Western tradition. This fifth edition expands coverage of Islamic civilization, obviously in response to current events.

"The Western Humanities" is organized chronologically into twenty-one chapters, the last 11 of which are in this second volume. The first two chapters cover the Early Renaissance and the High Renaissance followed by one on the Northern Renaissance. Following a pair of chapters on the Baroque, Matthews and Platt break the last three centuries of the previous millennium into the Age of Reason (a.k.a., the Enlightenment), the age of revolution (primarily the industrial one), the triumph of the bourgeoisie, the age of early modernism, the age of the masses, and the age of anxiety and beyond.

Each chapter begins by establishing the material conditions of the era (historical, political, economic, and social) and then presenting the crucial points that defined the culture during that period (major themes, issues, and problems of the period). The second half of each chapter focuses on the cultural expression of the period, including not only ideas in philosophy, history, religion, and science, but also the cultural artifacts of art, music, drama, literature, and (eventually) film. This shows the attempt to balance the historical background with the cultural and artistic achievements, and each chapter concludes with a brief section covering the cultural legacy of that period.

Among the special features are "Windows on the World," a series of two-page timelines that outline the most important historical events and cultural achievements in Africa, the Americas, and Asia, which appear between most of the chapters. "Personal Perspectives" are excerpts from primary sources and original documents that allow students to hear the voices of participants and witnesses in the historical and cultural events described in the text. At the start of the book there is "A Humanities Primer: How to Understand the Arts," that introduces readers to the understanding and appreciation of cultural works (defining and explaining terms and concepts). The back of the book includes an "Appendix, Writing for the Humanities: Research Papers and Essay Examinations," a Glossary, and an Index.

The focus here is on the essential elements and works of the Western tradition, which I see as being less information translating into more understanding and retention, which is certainly something I can appreciate. But as I indicated earlier, what I especially like is how students will get to read extended excerpts from the literature of these times and listen to the music. For someone who teaches online classes, this combination is quite attractive.