Customer Reviews

Early Modern France 1560-1715 (O P U S)

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Table of Contents
List of Illustrations

Introduction

1. The Crisis of the Monarchy

2. Economy and Society

3. The Government of France, 1598-1715: i) Henri IV to Richelieu, 1598-1624; ii) The Ministry of Richelieu; iii) The Regency, The Fronde, and The Ministry of Cardinal Mazarin; iv) The Personal Rule of Louis XIV

4. Belief and Culture

Appendix: graphs

Bibliography

Glossary

Index

Highly recommend this work, especially if you want to get the broad overview with not an inconsiderable amount of detail as well on the rise of France. The author makes great use of his chapter divisions that examines the pertinent aspects of French social, economic, religious, political, and military life. But he doesn't overburden the reader with too much detail.

The reader will certainly note the correlation between population growth, economic stagnation, taxation, political chaos and order, and incessant warfare that culminated in the absolute rule of Louis XIV, which was not always that absolute.

The presentation is cogent, and direct. Graphs assist the author to highlight trends and relationships without trying to imply too much. My only criticism is the persistence to use French terms that are not defined nor translated. The 1977 edition has a glossary that is indispensible.

Still, overall, an worthwhile educational and entertaining read.

Robin Briggs has to be one of the English-speaking world's leading scholars on Early Modern France. One of the key strengths of this monologue is Briggs' ability to explain extremely complex events with great clarity and brevity. For exmple, both his exposition of the Wars of Religion and the Frondes give the reader the best introduction to two of the most complex series of events in this period I have ever come across. Whilst there is a resulting sacrifice of detail, Briggs successfully sketches an outline of themes and details which will help even a degree-level reader decode the more complex aspects of 17th century France. Briggs is also best known for his social history. He set my finals paper for this period whilst doing my degree, and it had Briggs stamped all over it. As such the introductions to social history themes like witchcraft, religion and the changing nature of politics of localities are superb. It is this combination of excellent introductions and complex themes that makes this a must for anyone, from a highschooler to a College student, studying this period.

I bought this book on the strength of the other reviews. I was looking for something readable and short to give a nice overview. On the positive side, the book was short. But it was dry, dense, and not for the beginner. It frequently used French words it did not define, and you were left struggling to figure out what they meant by context alone. It used concepts that were not explained, such as the Three Estates. I had to go to Wikipedia to supplement my knowledge so that I could understand the book. It was wordier than it had to be. The worst part is that it was so conclusionary, I would know something, but wasn't sure why that was. And that's the whole point of reading the book.