Summary Of Plague And Peoples By William Mcneill
William McNeill, Plagues and Peoples William McNeill was a prominent historian whose works left an undeniable mark in history. He was determined to examine a various number of diseases, and how they had affected the world’s population over the years in this book of knowledge. McNeill believed that the spread of infectious disease became a main shaper of history that preyed upon places such as China with the bubonic plague, to Mexico and the effects of smallpox. The author points out how several important political figures were aided in their quest for victory by the presences of diseases. McNeill composed six chapters to examine and explain how earlier generations were affected by the diseases long before the Neolithic Revolution.(33) He
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The author gives details on the spread of the Black Death, also called the Bubonic Plague that caused much devastation in Europe during the 14th century. The disease would Europe take by storm during the years of 1345 to 1361, and at different periods over the next 400 years. McNeill contends that the Mongols facilitated the spread of the Black Death, which brought devastating changes to Europe and Asia (pp.150). Several other countries such as Russia, Africa, China, and the Scandinavian countries were also affected by this plague. McNeill made mention of several other occasions where diseases seem to play an important role in the outcome. He writes about the spreading of disease causing a disbandment of the imperial Rome and Han China empires, but reinforcing Christianity and Buddhist religions. …show more content…
Due to the topics that McNeill wrote about in The Rise of the West: a History of the Human Community (1963) and A World History (1967), people often compared Plagues and Peoples to these books. The Rise of the West: a History of the Human Community (1963) emphasized the history of Western civilization, and the connection between modern science and technology. This book covers 5000 years of Western civilization. A World History (1967) focused the old world civilization of India, Europe, China, and the Middle East. McNeill gives attention to archaeological discoveries, geography, and most important events in civilization since
The author gives details on the spread of the Black Death, also called the Bubonic Plague that caused much devastation in Europe during the 14th century. The disease would Europe take by storm during the years of 1345 to 1361, and at different periods over the next 400 years. McNeill contends that the Mongols facilitated the spread of the Black Death, which brought devastating changes to Europe and Asia (pp.150). Several other countries such as Russia, Africa, China, and the Scandinavian countries were also affected by this plague. McNeill made mention of several other occasions where diseases seem to play an important role in the outcome. He writes about the spreading of disease causing a disbandment of the imperial Rome and Han China empires, but reinforcing Christianity and Buddhist religions. …show more content…
Due to the topics that McNeill wrote about in The Rise of the West: a History of the Human Community (1963) and A World History (1967), people often compared Plagues and Peoples to these books. The Rise of the West: a History of the Human Community (1963) emphasized the history of Western civilization, and the connection between modern science and technology. This book covers 5000 years of Western civilization. A World History (1967) focused the old world civilization of India, Europe, China, and the Middle East. McNeill gives attention to archaeological discoveries, geography, and most important events in civilization since