Past to Present: Ideas That Changed Our World

Past to Present: Ideas That Changed Our World offers a balance between past and present selections so that readers can trace the evolution of ideas through history and in many cultures. Each of the 73 readings includes discussions that focus on the history of the idea, the writer's rhetorical strategies, and the context in which the piece was written.

This innovative first edition anthology addresses issues of race, social class, and technology. It also redefines the traditional themes found in great ideas readers and offers a more focused, precise, and, most importantly, an up-to-date collection of readings.

Comprehensive and accessible, Past to Present encapsulates for readers essential readings from the fields of humanities, social science, and science in a single book—putting a “human face” on the great ideas that have changed our world.

The book is divided into seven thematic parts that trace the history of important ideas from their roots to their current incarnations. Each of the 73 readings includes discussions that focus on the history of the idea, the writer's rhetorical strategies, and the context in which the piece was written.

For anyone who is interested in exploring the evolutions of the great ideas of our world.