Product Description

Europe is, in world terms, a relatively minor peninsula attached to the Eurasian land mass, yet it became one of the most innovative regions on the planet, bearing restless adventurers who traversed the globe to trade and often to settle. By the fifteenth century Europe was a driving world force, but the origins of its success have until now remained obscured in prehistory. In this magnificent book, the distinguished archaeologist Barry Cunliffe sees Europe not in terms of states and shifting land boundaries, but as a geographical niche particularly favoured in facing many seas. These and the great transpeninsular rivers ensured a rich diversity of natural resources, and encouraged the interaction of dynamic peoples across networks of communication and exchange. The development of these early Europeans is rooted in complex interplays, shifting balances, geographic and demographic fluidity. Weaving together titanic concepts while remaining sensitive to the specific incidence, this is a tour de force. A bold book of exceptional scholarship and an erudite and engaging narrative, Europe Between the Oceans heralds an entirely new understanding of Old Europe.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #22149 in Books
• Published on: 2008-05-31
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 480 pages

Review
'Barry Cunliffe is an archaeological phenomenon.'
--Norman Hammond, Literary Review, May 2008

'An ambitious book.'
--Peter Burke, Common Knowledge, Vol. 15, No.3, 2009

Review
"It's an awesome scholarly monument, but it's also a truly riveting story."

Review
"... an admirable achievement ... more than a mere descriptive synthesis ... an elegant narrative... presented in an accessible yet erudite manner."

Customer Reviews

A European perspective
Following his book 'Facing the Ocean', Cunliffe has written a masterful history of Europeans, and demonstrates how the geography of Europe was instrumental in our development. In his own words, "The complex interaction of human groups with their environment, and with each other." The breadth of the book is enormous, but he skilfully and easily leads the reader through each time zone. He tells us that without the 'gentle intervention' of his publisher, the book would have been very much longer. I for one, wish she hadn't intervened !
This is a book we have been waiting for for a long time. I hope it receives the acclaim it deserves, with not too much 'knocking' from those entrenched in previous interpretations.