Chapters 8, 9 and 10

Chapter 8:

Chapter 8 discusses the spread of culture throughout world civilizations by means of trade.  The three roads of trades were the Silk Roads, Sea Roads and Sand Roads.  The Silk Roads, a land-based trade, promoted exchange across Eurasia.  The main luxury good that symbolized this Eurasian exchange system was silk.  The Sea Roads trade promoted trade across the Indian Ocean.  This sea-based trade was much more economic than the Silk Road trade.  The ships were able to accomodate larger and heavier cargoes than camels of the Silk Roads.  The Sea Roads were able to carry more goods and products unlike the Silk Roads that were limited to luxury goods for the few.  The Sand Roads enabled trade across the Sahara.  Camels could go for ten days without water and made the trek across the deserts possible. 
The increase in trades prompted the spread of religion, diseases and distinct classifciations of the social network.

Chapter 9:

Chapter 9 goes into the history and prominence of Chinas influence in world history. I never realized how much wealth China and its importance in being a key component of spreading culture and commerce.  I also had no idea how much the Chinese culture was the one to mold other Asian cultures.
One bit of information I found interesting was the binding of women's feet.  I thought this concept originated from Japan, when in fact, the Japanese adopted this from the Chinese. 
Confucianism initially played an important role in the political and social developments of Japan, Vietnam and Korea.  The role and rights of women seems to have been a recurring theme, one that was clarified through Chinese acculturation.  Unlike Japan, Korea and Vietnam adpoted Chinese culture through military threat or through land occupation.  Japan was able to pick and choose what ideals they thought would work with their own customs.  I found it fortunate that Koreans and Vietnamese were able to keep their land identity and did not have to identify themselves as Chinese.

Chapter 10:

Chapter 10 discusses Christendom and its eventual violent split into present day Eastern Orthodox Christianity and Roman Catholicism.  I found this chapter very confusing and did not like how the material was presented.  I think Strayer could have discussed more Constantinoples attempts to unify Christianity and then the events and beliefs that led to the eventual split.