The World's Greatest Books — Volume 12 — Modern History

This volume of the "World's Greatest Books" series compiles substantial historical accounts tracing the making of the modern world, from the Age of Discovery through the American Revolution. Samuel Eliot's narrative charts the course of what would become the United States, from Leif Erikson's accidental voyage to the settlements at Plymouth and Jamestown, building toward the explosive tensions between colony and crown. The anthology also examines the French Revolution's upheaval and the Spanish conquests of Mexico and Peru, offering firsthand perspectives on the political and cultural forces that reshaped the globe. These aren't simplified retellings but substantial passages from historians and witnesses to history itself. The collection provides readers with a window into how early 20th-century scholars understood the origins of modern nations, making it a valuable resource for anyone seeking to read primary historical accounts rather than modern summaries.