European World 1500–1800

Beat Kümin is Professor of Early Modern European History at the University of Warwick, UK. His previous publications include Drinking Matters: Public Houses and Social Exchange in Early Modern Central Europe (2007) and Imperial Villages: Cultures of Political Freedom in the German Lands​​ (2019). He has also - with C. Scott Dixon - co-edited the partnering volume Interpreting Early Modern Europe (2019), which supports students with surveys of key debates in early modern historiography.

'This is one of the only textbooks to portray the early modern period as a distinctive era in its own right and to fully explore its richness and diversity. The European World provides an authoritative survey of the period's characteristic developments, an overview of the latest scholarly perspectives and an original selection of easily accessible source fragments.'Bart Lambert, University of York, UK‘An informative, synthetic account of the major themes in early modern European history. The authors introduce readers to an array of "histories" (social, economic, religious, etc.) which they may not have encountered before and encourage further specialised reading . . . the illustrative examples are useful and pertinent.’Stephen Bowd, University of Edinburgh ‘This impressive textbook provides a firm basis for any further student research. Easy to read, it delivers in-depth considerations of the most important developments of the European early modern period.’Renate Dürr, University of Tübingen‘Didactically, it is all brilliantly executed, especially compared to some German textbooks and it is easy to read, without being simplistic.’Wolfgang Reinhard, Zeitschrift für Historische Forschung‘One of the best introductions to this period I have seen.'Retha Warnicke, Arizona State University'A student-friendly text, well written by excellent scholars who make the reader want to turn the page. The European World, 1500-1800, contains analytical chapters on a variety of both traditional and recent historical topics while excelling in comparative descriptions of life throughout Europe, between different centuries, and between Europe and the wider world.'Richard M. Golden, University of North TexasThis is a well-organized, thoughtful and thought-provoking survey of a seminal period in the history of Europe. It draws upon current scholarship to provide a useful overview the major themes of early modern European history. Its thematic approach is especially helpful in getting students to think about the past in new and fruitful ways.Christine Kooi, Louisiana State University.

• Part I: Starting PointsI.1 IntroductionBeat Kümin I.2 Europe in 1500Humfrey ButtersPart II: Society and EconomyII.1 EnvironmentsJohn MorganII.2Gender and FamilyBernard CappII.3 Rural SocietySteve Hindle II.4 Urban SocietyPenny RobertsII.5 Marginals and DeviantsPenny RobertsII.6 Sickness and HealthClaudia SteinII.7 The Early Modern EconomySteve HindlePart III: ReligionIII.1 Church and People at the Close of the Middle AgesBeat Kümin and Peter MarshallIII.1A The Long Reformation – an introductionBeat KüminIII.2 The Long Reformation – LutheranHenry J. CohnIII.3 The Long Reformation – ReformedPenny RobertsIII.4 The Long Reformation – CatholicAnne Gerritsen, Kevin Gould and Peter MarshallIII.5 Religious Culture in Early Modern EuropePeter MarshallIII.6 Jews and MuslimsHenry J. Cohn†Part IV: The Wider World IV.1 Beyond Europe c. 1500Anne Gerritsen and Anthony McFarlaneIV.2 European Relations with the Ottoman WorldJames BaldwinIV.3 Expanding HorizonsAnne Gerritsen and Anthony McFarlaneIV.4 Europe OverseasAnthony McFarlaneIV.5 The Global Exchange of GoodsAnne Gerritsen and Giorgio RielloIV.6 Europe and the World c. 1800Anne Gerritsen and Anthony McFarlanePart V: CultureV.1 RenaissanceHumfrey ButtersV.2 Arts and SocietyLuca MolàV.3 From Pen to PrintMark Knights and Angela McShane V.4 Food and Drink CulturesRebecca Earle and Beat KüminV.5 Popular Culture(s)Bernard CappV.6 Witchcraft and MagicPenny RobertsV.7 The Scientific RevolutionClaudia SteinV.8 EnlightenmentColin JonesPart VI: PoliticsA) SurveysVI.1 The Theory and Practice of Politics and GovernmentHumfrey ButtersVI.2 Dynastic Politics, Religious Conflict and Reason of State c.1500-1650Humfrey Butters and Henry J. CohnVI.3 European Politics from the Peace of Westphalia to the French Revolution c.1650-1800Colin Jones and Mark KnightsB) ThemesVI. 4 Courts and CentresStéphane van Damme and Janet Dickinson VI.5 Centre and PeripherySteve Hindle and Beat Kümin VI.6 The Impact of WarJonathan DaviesVI.7 Riot and RebellionBernard CappVI.8 RevolutionBernard Capp and Colin Jones