Civilizations Past and Present , written by specialists in Islamic, African, Asian, Ancient, and East European history— offers a clear and accessible analysis of diverse trends shaping world history.   Civilizations Past and Present, now in its Twelfth Edition, is a survey text well known in the marketplace for its readability, offering a strong narrative exploration of world history that examines details at levels appropriate for both students and instructors. The book’s narrative–enriched by photographs, maps, primary source documents, timelines, and other pedagogical aids–places great emphasis on the connections between the world’s many cultures and regions. The book uses intriguing avenues of historical interpretation and examines all of the major areas of historical study:  social, political, economic, religious, cultural, and geographic.