'Informed, wide-ranging, illumined with case studies rather than blinding generalities, wise rather than ideological, relentlessly fascinating - world and comparative history come to maturity.' Alfred W. Crosby, author of Ecological Imperialism 'Philip Curtin is one of the ablest, most prolific storytellers of our time.' Mark D. W. Edington, The Boston Book Review 'Following the tradition of those who examine challenge ... Read moreand response in history, he identifies cultures which reacted uniquely to European encroachment, therefore providing the reader with delightful as well as informative vignettes of these distinctive responses.' Millennium '… wide ranging and generally exciting history of imperialism and its opponents … provides a well-written overview of the engagement of the west with the non-west over the past century. it will serve well as a textbook … for a course in the general history of the non-western world or a modern world history course. its clarity and elegance, and the insights that his case studies provide, will make it an excellent teaching text.' Journal of African History 'There is much of interest in this wide-ranging and erudite study …'. The Guardian Show Less