The Cambridge History of Political Thought 1450-1700 [Paperback]

J. H. Burns (Editor), Mark Goldie (Contributor)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 27, 1995 | Series: The Cambridge History of Political Thought

The companion volume to the highly successful Cambridge History of Medieval Political Thought, this book presents a comprehensive account of the development of European political thinking through the Renaissance and the Reformation to the "scientific revolution" and political upheavals of the seventeenth century. Recent decades have seen intensive historical investigation and reappraisal in this field. Many established perspectives have changed; and while it would still be generally accepted that something distinctly "modern" took shape in the political thought of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, there have been important changes in our understanding of what is "medieval" and what is "modern" and of the relationship between these concepts. A highly distinguished team of contributors present a unique, authoritative guide to these developments. Full bibliographical and biographical information is provided for those wishing to pursue specific topics in greater detail.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"The first and most important thing to observe about the present volume is its exceptional usefulness as a competent survey of a host of political ideas and thinkers of the early modern era...warmly recommended." Renaissance Quarterly

"Meticulously researched, the book manages to cover two and a half centuries while avoiding superficiality. For years to come scholars will pull this volume off the shelf to read summaries of periods outside their field of primary interest and for some novel insights in their realm of expertise." Modern Europe

"...valuable volume..new scholarship on the history of political thought...essays by an impressive group of scholars...The volume reflects the current interpretations and interests of preeminent historians. It constitutes an important contribution to historical scholarship and should be read by all students of modern political thought." The Sixteenth Century Journal

Book Description

As a companion volume to the Cambridge History of Medieval Political Thought, this work represents a comprehensive account of the development of European political thinking from the Renaissance and the Reformation to the "scientific revolution" and political upheavals of the seventeenth century.

Product Details

• Paperback: 812 pages
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press (January 27, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0521477727
• ISBN-13: 978-0521477727
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.1 x 1.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #253,528 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars brilliant survey, September 17, 2006

By 

Bo K. (California!!!) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Cambridge History of Political Thought 1450-1700 (Paperback)

A series of essays on the major thinkers and their periods, this book, and really all the Cambridge polisci history volumes, is an excellent survey of this fundamentally important period in the development of theories of the state, which is still a vitally important issue for our world today, whether you think about the rise of stateless terrorism, economic imperialism, development issues, the rise of continental blocs a la NAFTA or the EU, law and jurisprudence, etc etc etc.

This book is NOT a generalist survey, it assumes that you have some knowledge of the period and the thinkers. But if you do, and you would like to understand the subject without having to take 5 years of your life to pursue a PhD in the area, this book is one that you must have. Excellent bibliography herein also. If you are interested in Bodin, Machiavelli, Hobbes, etc, then you must read this book. Or maybe you would do better with the exterior discipline of Cal's PhD in polisci. But if you might be an autodidact, then you can buy this book and read it for fun and edification without having to commit yourself to a phd program. In other words, you can keep your day job. If thats not utilitarian, then I'm bentham's uncle sally.