Two-thirds the length of the complete Fourth Edition, this Brief version of The Earth and Its Peoples: A Global History retains its major themes and its truly global perspective on world history. This text focuses on the interaction of human beings and their environment, using this central theme to compare different times, places, and societies. Special emphasis is given to technology and how technological development underlies all human activity.Ideal for one-semester survey courses or courses using several primary sources, this text has been carefully abbreviated to maintain the essential narrative of world history. Key pedagogical elements have been retained and further emphasized.