Early Modern Europe: An Oxford History [Hardcover]

Euan Cameron (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 8, 1999 | ISBN-10: 0198205287 | ISBN-13: 978-0198205289 | Edition: 1St Edition

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.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

British historian Cameron, author of The European Reformation (Oxford Univ., 1991), joins ten prominent British and American historians in surveying the three centuries of European history from 1500 to 1800. Perhaps the most momentous period of European development, these years saw the fragmentation of the Christian Church, the European exploration and settlement of North and South America, the emergence of new forms of governance, and the rise of the nation state. While considering the broad cultural, religious, and political trends over the course of these three centuries, the authors also attempt to illustrate what daily life was like for the people of this period and how they felt and responded as their world changed around them. The authors succeed in illuminating one of the most eventful periods in European history. This work should be of interest to the general reader as well as to students. Highly recommended for public and academic libraries.ARobert J. Andrews, Duluth P.L., MN
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

The three centuries from 1500 to 1800 encompassed the transformation from the late medieval to the modern world, spurred on by the Renaissance, Reformation, and Enlightenment. This series of essays by prominent British and American historians captures the upheaval and fracturing of religious, intellectual, and political certainties that led to "progress," mass violence, and revolution. The essays are arranged chronologically, and many emphasize the changes in the mindset and daily lives of ordinary people. The text is superbly complemented by extensive illustrations that help to convey the images of a world straining from the stress of rapidly accelerating changes. Taken together, this anthology provides an instructive, comprehensive portrait of one of the most critical periods in the history of our civilization. Jay Freeman

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 440 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA; 1St Edition edition (April 8, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0198205287
• ISBN-13: 978-0198205289
• Product Dimensions: 9.8 x 6.3 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.9 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #861,611 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An Emminently Readable Survey of Early Modern Europe, February 7, 2004

By 

Galen K. Valentine "gallaine" (Fort Worth, TX USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Early Modern Europe: An Oxford History (Hardcover)

Early Modern Europe is a survey of European history from the 16th to the 18th centuries. Its three parts, one for each of the centuries the book covers, are each a collection of three essays by period historians. Scattered throughout are numerous illustrations and a few maps; though, oddly, the origins of many of the illustrations aren't cited except in the List of Illustrations. With so many authors it can be difficult to maintain a consistent tone and theme throughout. I found the style of nearly every author in Early Modern Europe to be, while not identical, at least similar enough that transitions between essays were fluid.

Perhaps to make this survey seem more like a narrative and less pedantic cited works for each essay are relegated to the back of the book. Also, I can't recall a single end- or foot-note. I would have preferred the bibliography to be placed with each essay and that the text to have been supplemented with footnotes. But lest that criticism seem too harsh I will say that the authors achieved the monumental task of reducing the historical fact, and conjectures, of three centuries into eleven relatively short essays (including the Prologue and Epilogue) without losing too much.

Anthony Pagden's, "Prologue: Europe and the World Around" was particularly interesting to me. This essay covers how the ancient Greek and Roman worlds, and the coming of Christianity, influenced the Europeans conception of themselves and their relationships to others. It explains, if only superficially, the European sense of "unity" and the belief in the superiority of Western Civilization; I use superficial not in its negative sense but to mean "on or nor the surface" i.e. the scanty 28 pages devoted to the subject can only be a survey rather than a critical analysis.

The other essays in the book cover the life of the masses, war, religion, politics, and economics. Such a range of topics gives you a general sense of the times. And that is really the power of this book - a framework in which to locate other more intense readings on the particulars.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very useful and compelling, October 16, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Early Modern Europe: An Oxford History (Hardcover)

Have used the book as back-up to a high school Modern History course this semester. It is extremely well-written in many of the chapters and summarizes and encapulsates key points and moments during this period. It also updates the current state of scholarship in the field in places and overall is an interesting read. Worth the money if this is a time period of interest to you.

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Early Modern Reference Book, July 17, 2011

By 

jmg0620 - See all my reviews

This review is from: Early Modern Europe: An Oxford History (Hardcover)

Early Modern Europe: An Oxford History is an excellent resource book for both new scholars and more experienced ones alike. I would especially recommend this book as assigned or supplemental reading in an introductory course on early modern Europe as it covers each major theme of the early modern period including the reformation, renaissance, counter reformation, major economic patterns, and other social/cultural developments in a concise yet informative manner. It is a very accessible text as most other Oxford Histories.