The West's history is one of extraordinary success; no other region, empire, culture, or civilization has left so powerful a mark upon the world. The Rise of Western Power charts the West's achievements—representative government, the free enterprise system, modern science, and the rule of law—as well as its misdeeds—two frighteningly destructive World Wars, the Holocaust, imperialistic domination, and the Atlantic slave trade.

Adopting a global perspective, Jonathan Daly explores the contributions of other cultures and civilizations to the West's emergence. Historical, geographical, and cultural factors all unfold in the narrative. Adopting a thematic structure, the book traces the rise of Western power through a series of revolutions—social, political, technological, military, commercial, and industrial, among others. The result is a clear and engaging introduction to the history of Western civilization.