'In place of the traditional chronological account of history, Vierhaus presents a series of analytical sections of socio-economic development, of cultural life, of political organization, and of interstate relations. Without doing violence to the great complexity of the age, he manages to find a connection between certain individual characteristics.' Bulletin of the German Historical Institute

• Preface; Introduction; 1. Economic development; 2. Society; 3. Cultural life; 4. Political organization; 5. Wars, Crises, and Conflicts; Conclusion; Chronology; Bibliography; Index.

'In place of the traditional chronological account of history, Vierhaus presents a series of analytical sections of socio-economic development, of cultural life, of political organization, and of interstate relations. Without doing violence to the great complexity of the age, he manages to find a connection between certain individual characteristics.' Bulletin of the German Historical Institute

• Preface; Introduction; 1. Economic development; 2. Society; 3. Cultural life; 4. Political organization; 5. Wars, Crises, and Conflicts; Conclusion; Chronology; Bibliography; Index.