Blackwell Classic Histories of Europe – serie

This book provides readers with an introduction to the complex era from 1878 to the end of World War I.

This book is an updated and revised edition of a classic introduction to one of the key periods in modern European history. Olwen Hufton not only illuminates the complex and significant events of the first era in which modernity is recognisable but provides the essential background to the revolutionary period that followed.

This book provides a classic introduction to a key period in the history of Europe - the transition from medieval to Renaissance Europe. In this updated edition, Professor Holmes traces the main political events as well as describing broader changes in social structure and culture. He reveals the interactions between politics, society and ideas that contributed to the problems and changes of this period.The book addresses the crises of the medieval world. At the start of the period, Europe was dominated by the institutions of the church, monarchy, armies of knightly cavalry and Gothic art. By the end, the Papacy had been drastically weakened, the Hussite movement was heralding the social and religious changes to come in the next century, the armoured knight was no longer a formidable force, and the cultural movement of the Italian Renaissance was beginning to unfold. The author shows how economic forces, including the Black Death and the fall in population threatened the power of the landowners, church and monarchy and how such changes prompted interaction not only between political powers but between different communities and divergent ways of life and thought. Throughout the book, Professor Holmes relates his strong political narrative to the social and ideological movements of the period and explains the legacy of this period for the centuries that followed. For this edition, he has included updates to the text and bibliography.

This is G.R. Elton's classic account of the Reformation, revealing the issues and preoccupations which seemed central to the age and portraying its leading figures with vigour and realism.

The revised edition of this classic text covers both the turbulence of war which raged throughout this period, and explores how, alongside such turbulence, it was possible for some countries to both flourish and produce spectacular advances in art, science and thinking.

This book provides readers with an introduction to the complex era from 1878 to the end of World War I.

This is G.R. Elton's classic account of the Reformation, revealing the issues and preoccupations which seemed central to the age and portraying its leading figures with vigour and realism.

The new edition of this classic history examines the political, economic, social, religious and cultural life of Europe at the height of the Renaissance. J.R. Hale not only records the events of 1480-1520, but also suggests what it was like to have lived in this period. He provides readers with an understanding of the quality of lives of people living at this time and includes processes and personalities not often covered by other books. For the second edition Professor Michael Mallet provides an updated bibliography and an extended introduction explaining the book's place in the historiography of the subject. The book is arranged thematically, each chapter designed to provide information about a specific field of inquiry and also give an insight into the people of this era. J. R. Hale investigates how these people felt about their environment and the passage of time; their relationships with government and other institutions, from the Church to the family; their economic frameworks; the part religion played in their lives; and what cultural and intellectual pursuits were available to them. Renaissance Europe compares our own attitudes to those of the Renaissance and vice versa, thereby enriching the readers understanding of everyday life in the past.

The new edition of this classic history examines the political, economic, social, religious and cultural life of Europe at the height of the Renaissance. J.R. Hale not only records the events of 1480-1520, but also suggests what it was like to have lived in this period. He provides readers with an understanding of the quality of lives of people living at this time and includes processes and personalities not often covered by other books. For the second edition Professor Michael Mallet provides an updated bibliography and an extended introduction explaining the book's place in the historiography of the subject. The book is arranged thematically, each chapter designed to provide information about a specific field of inquiry and also give an insight into the people of this era. J. R. Hale investigates how these people felt about their environment and the passage of time; their relationships with government and other institutions, from the Church to the family; their economic frameworks; the part religion played in their lives; and what cultural and intellectual pursuits were available to them. Renaissance Europe compares our own attitudes to those of the Renaissance and vice versa, thereby enriching the readers understanding of everyday life in the past.

Europe Divided is a fascinating and wide-ranging introduction to a complex age of movement and conflict. Professor Elliott's strong narrative takes account of political, economic and social developments and provides vivid portraits of the leading personalities of the era. The book examines the hard lines of division in late sixteenth-century Europe: between a Protestant North and a Catholic South; between the rich, expanding economy of the West and the harsh poverty of the agrarian East. It was the period that saw the birth of the Dutch Republic; the defeat of the Spanish Armada; the western repulse of the Ottoman Empire; the revival of the papacy and an authoritarian Calvinism. It was also an era of strong political personalities, of Philip II and a powerful Habsburg Spain, of Queen Elizabeth and Catherine de Medici, of Henry IV and Montaigne.Throughout the text, Professor Elliott has been concerned to reveal the complex interaction of events in different parts of the continent, rather than examining regions in isolation. The book therefore conveys the feeling of contemporaries of the era - that they were involved in a great European drama.

Europe Divided is a fascinating and wide-ranging introduction to a complex age of movement and conflict. Professor Elliott's strong narrative takes account of political, economic and social developments and provides vivid portraits of the leading personalities of the era. The book examines the hard lines of division in late sixteenth-century Europe: between a Protestant North and a Catholic South; between the rich, expanding economy of the West and the harsh poverty of the agrarian East. It was the period that saw the birth of the Dutch Republic; the defeat of the Spanish Armada; the western repulse of the Ottoman Empire; the revival of the papacy and an authoritarian Calvinism. It was also an era of strong political personalities, of Philip II and a powerful Habsburg Spain, of Queen Elizabeth and Catherine de Medici, of Henry IV and Montaigne.Throughout the text, Professor Elliott has been concerned to reveal the complex interaction of events in different parts of the continent, rather than examining regions in isolation. The book therefore conveys the feeling of contemporaries of the era - that they were involved in a great European drama.

In the new edition of this popular book, Professor Grenville provides a lucid and sympathetic guide to the great political and international changes of the thirty years between 1848 and 1878. For this edition the author has included coverage of the experience of Britain within his discussion of continental Europe. During this period, Europe underwent a rapid succession of political and social changes. The revolutions of 1848 signaled a massive breakdown of social coherence and government, on a scale not witnessed before. The era that followed was one of authoritarian reform from above and the transformation of government, in all but Russia, from autocratic to constitutional rule. The period was dominated by the divisive force of nationalism whilst the map of Europe was redrawn by the unification of Italy and of Germany.The author examines social conflicts in relation to the regions in which they occurred but also considers movements from a European as well as a local perspective. Yet these events were not merely the outcome of inevitable forces - personal ambitions also played an important role, and Professor Grenville provides readers with fascinating insights into the characters behind the events, including Napoleon III, Cavour, Garibaldi and the master-statesman Bismarck.

In the new edition of this popular book, Professor Grenville provides a lucid and sympathetic guide to the great political and international changes of the thirty years between 1848 and 1878. For this edition the author has included coverage of the experience of Britain within his discussion of continental Europe. During this period, Europe underwent a rapid succession of political and social changes. The revolutions of 1848 signaled a massive breakdown of social coherence and government, on a scale not witnessed before. The era that followed was one of authoritarian reform from above and the transformation of government, in all but Russia, from autocratic to constitutional rule. The period was dominated by the divisive force of nationalism whilst the map of Europe was redrawn by the unification of Italy and of Germany.The author examines social conflicts in relation to the regions in which they occurred but also considers movements from a European as well as a local perspective. Yet these events were not merely the outcome of inevitable forces - personal ambitions also played an important role, and Professor Grenville provides readers with fascinating insights into the characters behind the events, including Napoleon III, Cavour, Garibaldi and the master-statesman Bismarck.

In the new edition of this classic book, Geoffrey Parker draws on material from all over Europe to provide an authoritative and exciting account of the eventful first half of the seventeenth century.

In the new edition of this classic book, Geoffrey Parker draws on material from all over Europe to provide an authoritative and exciting account of the eventful first half of the seventeenth century.

The new edition of this classic account of Revolutionary Europe brings to life many of the key issues that have fascinated historians since the fall of the Bastille and now includes a new introduction examining RudU's life and works and an updated list of readings.

Drawing on more than 40 years of research and combining narrative with analysis, R. J. Knecht describes the rise and fall of France in the sixteenth century clearly and authoritatively.

Drawing on more than 40 years of research and combining narrative with analysis, R. J. Knecht describes the rise and fall of France in the sixteenth century clearly and authoritatively.

This history offers a powerful and original account of Germany from the eve of the French Revolution to the end of World War One. Written by a leading German historian who has transformed the historiography of modern Germany over the past two decades. Covers the whole of the long nineteenth century and emphasizes continuities through this period. Brings together political, social and cultural history. Combines a comprehensive account with a feel for the human dimension and the history of everyday life. Accessible to non-specialists, thought-provoking and entertaining. The updated second edition includes a revised bibliography.

This history offers a powerful and original account of Germany from the eve of the French Revolution to the end of World War One. Written by a leading German historian who has transformed the historiography of modern Germany over the past two decades. Covers the whole of the long nineteenth century and emphasizes continuities through this period. Brings together political, social and cultural history. Combines a comprehensive account with a feel for the human dimension and the history of everyday life. Accessible to non-specialists, thought-provoking and entertaining. The updated second edition includes a revised bibliography.

This fourth edition of Sir John Hale’s classic history of England and the Italian Renaissance includes a detailed introduction by Edward Chaney surveying scholarly developments since the book was first published. Fourth edition of Sir John Hale’s classic history of England and the Italian Renaissance, first published in 1954. The book’s focus on fundamental issues and basis in little-read primary sources ensures that it endures as an important contribution to historical scholarship. Clear, chronological narrative, beautifully written. Provides essential understanding of the period, illuminating both British and Italian cultural history. The fourth edition includes a new introduction by Edward Chaney who is an expert on Anglo-Italian cultural relations. Chaney surveys the scholarship of the last 50 years and supplies an up-to-date bibliography.