Developed to meet the demand for a low-cost, high-quality history book, CENGAGE ADVANTAGE BOOKS: THE EARTH AND ITS PEOPLES, Sixth Edition, is an economically priced, two-color version of the THE EARTH AND ITS PEOPLES, Sixth Edition. It includes the complete core narrative, but has fewer maps, photos, and boxed features for a manageable length in a smaller trim size for easy portability. The book presents world history in a balanced, global framework, shifting the focus away from political centers of power. The authors employ fundamental themes of "environment and technology" and "diversity and dominance" to explore patterns of humans' interactions with their surroundings and with each other. This approach reveals how humanity continues to shape and be shaped by the environment and how dominant structures and traditions are balanced and challenged by alternate beliefs. Special emphasis is given to technological development and how it underlies all human activity.