In the three centuries from 1500 to 1800, Europe reached out of the dark ages, across the vast geographical expanse of the Atlantic Ocean, and across the even greater ideological expanse that divided the church-dominated middle ages from the Reformation and the Renaissance. The Europeans were slowly groping towards something we recognize today as "modernism"--they hadn't reached it, but the journey had begun.

Stretching from the Renaissance and the Reformation to the Enlightenment and the French Revolution, Early Modern Europe illuminates a period of truly remarkable political and intellectual upheaval. In this vividly written yet authoritative volume, eleven leading historians examine different aspects of politics, religion, culture, and daily life, putting together a convincing and fascinating picture of Europe as it moved from the darkness to the light. The contributors set out to convey the feel of the changes in life, beyond the raw historical data. Their chapters are extensively illustrated with carefully chosen images which complement the text. The book considers the evolving economy and society--the basic facts of life for the majority of Europe's people. It shows how the religious and intellectual unity of western culture fragmented and dissolved under the impact of new ideas. It examines politics, not just as the rise and fall of empires, but for the emergence of modern attitudes and techniques in governing.

Here is one of the most exciting periods in Western history, the time of Martin Luther and Voltaire and Shakespeare, captured by leading historians from the United States and England.

An introduction to Europe between 1500 and 1800. "Early modern" is the term used by historians for the period between the end of the Middle Ages and the start of the 19th century. It examines society, religion, the economy and politics.

This extensively illustrated book offers a new kind of introduction to Europe between 1500 and 1800. It considers the evolving economy and society - the basic facts of life for the majority of Europe's people. It shows how the religious and intellectual unity of western culture fragmented and dissolved under the impact of new ideas. It also examines politics to consider the emergence of modern attitudes and techniques in governing.

Euan Cameron is Professor of Early Modern History at the University of Newcastle upon Tyne.

List of Contributors, List of Illustrations

Editor's Introduction

Editor's Acknowledgements

Prologue: Europe and the World Around, Anthony R. D. Pagden

I: THE SIXTEENTH CENTURY c.1500-c.1618

1. The Conditions of Life for the Masses, Alison Rowlands

2. The Power of the Word: Renaissance and Reformation, Euan Cameron

3. War, Religion, and the State, Steven J. Gunn

II: THE SEVENTEENTH CENTURY c.1618-c.1715

4. Colonies, Enterprises, and Wealth: The Economies of Europe and the Wider World, R. A. Houston

5. Embattled Faiths: Religion and Natural Philosophy, Robin Briggs

6. Warfare, Crisis, and Absolutism, Jeremy Black

III: THE EIGHTEENTH CENTURY c.1715-1789

7. A Widening Market in Consumer Goods, James C. Riley

8. The Enlightenment, Norman Hampson

9. Europe Turns East: Political Developments, H. M. Scott

Epilogue: The Old Order Transformed 1789-1815, T. C. W. Blanning

Further Reading

Illustration Sources

Index