Product Description

Between 1789 and 1848 the world was transformed by both the French and Industrial Revolutions, creating the modern world as we know it. This book traces the transformation brought about in every sphere of European life by these two revolutions.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #754550 in Books
• Published on: 2000-05-25
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 366 pages

Review
Almost forty years after its first appearance, Hobsbawm's study of the two generations between the French Revolution and the mass uprisings of the mid 19th century remains the best account of European life in this formative period. Written with verve and full of incisive judgements, the book surveys the political upheavals which spawned democratic government, the demographic growth and industrial revolutions which gave rise to international capitalist economies, and the developments in religion and science, literature and the arts which heralded the modern world. This is the work of a great historian at the height of his powers and is a must for anyone interested in the history of Europe. (Kirkus UK)

About the Author
Eric Hobsbawm was born in Alexandria in 1917 and was educated in Vienna, Berlin, London and Cambridge. A Fellow of the British Academy and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, with honorary degrees from universities in several countries, he taught until retirement at Birkbeck College, University of London, and since then at the New School for Social Research in New York. All his books have been translated into several languages.

Customer Reviews

Removes the mask of ignorance
The book is a destined to be timeless classic. Hobsbawm's description of the post revolutionary age is stunning. His systematic deconstruction of those social forces which bought the age to be and developed many of the parameters and foundations of the contmeporary age is truly unique

The book was a stunning and welcome surprise. Having a BA in Politics and International Studies and a MA in International Political Economy, I did not believe I would find a book which could still provide me with a treasure chest of new perceptions that alters the way that I not only perceive the world around me, but my life itself. It must be stressed, as the author does in the introduction, that this book must only be tackled by those with a reasonable knowledge of history. He makes no apology and nor should he, for skipping the descriptive historical approach of many and subjecting you to a wealth of analysis. I have already brought the other books in the series and am eagerly waiting to read these.

My only regret about the book ? I did not find it as a student in my first year. At the time I laughed at the story of Chinese politican who when asked what he thought of the French revolution replied "It is too early to tell". This book makes you understand this reply. Being familiar with history, it is certain I would have burned far less midnight oil had I found the book at that time,for it would have instantly removed my viel of naivety and ignorance. If you want to undergo a similar experience I would recommend the author of what must surely become the great histroical text of its era as your guide.

The must-have book for this era of history
If you have to study the first half of the 19th century, this is the book to have. Hobsbawm writes logically, clearly, and on a wide range of issues, including ones you would not necessarily expect, such as the arts and sciences. As well as being informative, it is an interesting and eye-opening read.

Hobsbawm's left-wing attitudes are clear throughout much of the book, and this puts many historical events in a light you may not have seen them in before. In summary, this is a great book and the start of a great series - Hobsbawm is one of the greatest historians of our time.

revel in the genius and style and of a brilliant mind
Hobsbawm's general history of Europe and its growing influence on the rest of the world starts here. It is a fantastic read, combining great narrative history with incisive analysis, descriptions of mainstream historical movements with the arkane byways of historical eccentrics.

This is the first of Hobsbawm's four brilliant "Age of ..." books, and is a joy to both newcomers to history and those who read little but.

Read this and be amazed that your high school history teacher didn't use this as a text for A level or Higher European History, but preferred to use morphine-in-print texts, thus denying a generation of the pleasures of great literature disguised as history.

Even if you've already read this, buy it again and give yourself a treat.

It's banging, man.