People's History of the World

A new edition of a bestselling, comprehensive radical history of the planet. Chris Harman presents a gripping history from the perspective of the struggling people throughout the ages, from earliest human society to the Holy Roman Empire, the Middle Ages to the Enlightenment, the Industrial Revolution to the end of the millennium. Eschewing traditional “great man” narratives, Harman offers a counter-history in the spirit of history from below, showing how ordinary men and women shaped society and how class conflict often drove change. The book explains the rise and fall of societies, insisting that history never ends and that avenues for radical change remain open. This magisterial study is essential for anyone curious about how society has evolved and what lies ahead.

This is a new edition published in 2017. The work provides an expansive, continuous sweep across centuries, aiming to illuminate the dynamics of power, resistance, and transformation in a global context. It is a substantial volume that invites readers to rethink established timelines and consider the ongoing possibility of social change.

Features

• Radical history of the planet through ordinary people
• Counter-history in the tradition of history from below
• Class struggle at the core of societal change
• Sweep from earliest society to the end of the millennium
• 752-page paperback edition (2017)