Product Description

This is a comprehensive survey of European history from the coup d'etat of Napoleon Bonaparte in France to the assassination of the Archduke Ferdinand at Sarajevo, which led to the First World War. It concentrates on the twin themes of revolution and nationalism, which often combined in the early part of the century but which increasingly became rival creeds. Going beyond traditional political and diplomatic history, the book incorporates the results of recent research on population movements, the expansion of markets, the accumulation of capital, social mobility, education, changing patterns of leisure, religious practices, and intellectual and artistic developments. The work falls into three chronological sections. The first, starting in 1800 (rather than the more usual 1815) follows the build-up of the revolutionary currents which were eventually going to erupt in the `Year of Revolutions' 1848. The second, from 1850 to 1880, deals with the golden age of capitalism, the successful culmination of struggles for national unification, and the threat of anarchism. The concluding chapters look at the social and political stresses caused by socialism and national minorities, at new attempts by government to order society, imperial rivalry, and the descent into a war which was to mark the end of nineteenth-century Europe. For this third edition, Dr Gildea has substantially revised the text and maps, and completely updated the bibliography. Newly-added introductory sections guide the reader through the wealth of material in each chapter. The new edition also includes for the first time a full Chronology of the period, a list of leading state ministers, and family trees for all the major dynasties.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #181095 in Books
• Published on: 2003-03-06
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 544 pages

Review
"A brilliant blend of synthesis and original insight"--T.C.W. Blanning
"[The book] includes an impressive amount of detailed information, a good deal of it not to be found in its more obvious competitors'"--Times Literary Supplement
"Gildea's book has some fine passages... and much material vividly illustrating his points."--English Historical Review
"A formidable achievement ...the coverage is succinct and clear...the detailed treatment of particular themes is as satisfactory as the general arrangement of the work...the overwhelming impression is of a subtle intelligence at work and the result is an excellent and comprehensive study."--The Times Higher Education Supplement
.,."Gildea is to be congratulated for undertaking such a public service, and for carrying it out with considerable aplomb."--Catholic Herald

Historical Journal
"seems destined to stand over the next decade as the advanced textbook on nineteenth-century Europe that rivals will find it hardest to better" (Refers to the first edition)

About the Author
Robert Gildea is Professor of Modern French History at the University of Oxford and a Fellow of Merton College.

Customer Reviews

A very informative well written book.
This book proved invaluable in the study of the social history of Europe at degree level. Gildeas book gives a very informative of European history, not just from the political point of view. The study of demography, industrialisation and the development of education within Europe gives a much deeper understanding of European history, and stands out from the many books written purely about European political history.

Very Good
This book is really good for anyone who is studying European History. I bought this book for university purposes and I have found it an enjoyable read.