This innovative and challenging writing and reading textbook introduces the basic concepts of Western intellectual tradition. Drawing on a variety disciplines, it gives readers a unified body of thought as a base on which to develop their writing, reading, and critical thinking skills. The colege-level readings in religion, science, politics, philosophy, and art provide thematic unity and cumulative knowledge, beginning with Greek antiquity and continuing through to the twentieth century. Samples and assigments guide readers through each skill, and pedagogical aids help students anticipate difficulty in addressing writing assigments and developments and developing paragraphs and essays. Key concepts are defined before each reading. Vocabulary is annotated in the margins to avoid any disruption in the flow of text. Maps and timelines maintain a sense of historical continuity.