Synopses & Reviews
The new volume in the acclaimed Penguin History of Europe series takes on the greater eighteenth century in all its revolutionary glory
Here is an enormously entertaining, rich, and provocative account of a vivid and magnificent era in Europes history. Tim Blanning has for many years been one of the foremost writers on the eighteenth century. The culmination of many years work, The Pursuit of Glory is an accessible and enjoyable account of Europe from the end of the Thirty Years War to the Battle of Waterlooan era of immense change and cultural, political, and technological ferment. Spanning the years 16481815, The Pursuit of Glory takes us from the Enlightenment through the French Revolution and Napoleonic era. As interested in the art and music of the period as in the great dynastic and revolutionary wars, as concerned with the lives of ordinary people as with the great rulers on horseback, The Pursuit of Glory turns a compelling spotlight on one of historys most unique and fascinating eras.
Review
"Breezy, cheerful, evenhanded, Madden debunks myths about Venetian decadence, and brushes aside ugly whispers about greedy, unscrupulous merchants. and#160;When a colorful character pops up (Marco Polo, Casanova), he makes the most of it in his brisk, no-nonsense prose." --
New York Times
"This is a savory, tantalizing, but not-so-serene history of La Serenissima -- a tale of invasion, plunder, and ultimate elevation to one of the leading merchant cities in Europe. and#160;...Madden makes use of thousands of Venetians' personal documents from the Middle Ages to present an authoritative history." -- Publishers Weekly and#160; "Madden paints a vivid portrait of 'a city without land, an empire without borders.' and#160;His engaging work enters a sparse historiography... and separates itself by offering a readable overview backed by solid research. Readers will come away from Madden's Venice with a newfound respect for one of the great jewels of Western civilization. -- Booklist (Starred Review) and#160; "Plenty of books focus on Venice the romantic ruin. and#160;This one offers a welcome reminder of its historic role over a millennium in the development of a modern economic system and the maintenance of the global balance of power." -- Kirkus Reviews and#160; "Madden presents a popular history as engaging as it is solid. and#160;In graceful, sometimes elegant prose, he details the long life of one of Europe's most intriguing cities... and#160;It is as enjoyable as it is astute." -- Library Journal and#160; "As Thomas F. Madden relates in his excellent new book, the city was once far more than just a romantic tourist destination. ... Madden's book is a lively and lucid survey of Venice's colorful history." -- The Seattle Times
Synopsis
"History writing at its glorious best."--The New York Times
"A triumphant success. Blanning] brings knowledge, expertise, sound judgment and a colorful narrative style."--The Economist
The New York Times bestselling volume in the Penguin History of Europe series
Between the end of the Thirty Years' War and the Battle of Waterloo, Europe underwent an extraordinary transformatoin that saw five of the modern world's great revolutions--scientific, industrial, American, French, and romantic. In this much-admired addition to the monumental Penguin History of Europe series, Tim Blanning brilliantly investigates the forces that transformed Europe from a medieval society into a vigorous powerhose of the modern world. Blanning renders this vast subject immediate and absorbing by making fresh connections between the most mundane details of life and the major cultural, political, and technological transformations that birthed the modern age.
Synopsis
In 1648, Europe was essentially a medieval society. By 1815, it was the powerhouse of the modern world. In exuberant prose, Tim Blanning investigates ?the very hinge of European history? (
The New York Times) between the end of the Thirty Y ears? War and the Battle of Waterloo that witnessed five of the modern world?s great revolutions: scientific, industrial, American, French, and romantic. Blanning renders this vast subject digestible and absorbing by making fresh connections between the most mundane details of life and the major cultural, political, and technological transformations that birthed the modern age.
About the Author
Thomas F. Madden is a professor of history and the director of the Center for Medieval and Renaissance Studies at Saint Louis University in Missouri.and#160;He is the author of
Empires of Trust: How Rome Builtandndash;and How America Is Buildingandndash;a New World, and his work has been discussed in
The New York Times, The Washington Post, and
The Wall Street Journal. He lives in St. Louis, Missouri.
Table of Contents
The Pursuit of Glory
List of Illustrations
Maps
1. Europe in the era of Louis XIV
2. Europe in the eighteenth century
3. Europe in 1809
4. Europe in 1815
5. The Holy Roman Empire and the Habsburg Monarchy in the eighteenth century
Preface
Introduction
Part One: Life and Death
1. Communications
2. People
3. Trade and Manufacturing
4. Agriculture and the Rural World
Part Two: Power
5. Rulers and Their Elites
6. Reform and Revolution
Part Three: Religion and Culture
7. Religion and the Churches
8. Court and Country
9. Palaces and Gardens
10. The Culture of Feeling and the Culture of Reason
Part Four: War and Peace
11. From the Peace of Westphalia to the Peace of Nystad
12. From the Peace of Nystad to the French Revolutionary Wars
13. The Wars of the French Revolution and Napoleon
Conclusion
Suggested Reading
Index