Judgments on History and Historians [Paperback]

Jacob Burckhardt (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0865972079 | ISBN-13: 978-0865972070 | Publication Date: March 1, 1999

European History

Editorial Reviews

Language Notes

Text: English, German (translation) --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

Jacob Burckhardt (1818-1897) has been called 'the most civilised historian of the nineteenth century', and he was certainly one of the greatest historians of art and culture of his time. A Professor at the University of Basel, Burckhardt was especially knowledgeable about the Renaissance.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 18 and up
  
• Paperback: 314 pages
• Publisher: Liberty Fund (March 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0865972079
• ISBN-13: 978-0865972070
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,824,891 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One Of The Best Historians From The 19th Century!, August 8, 2005

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Michael A Neulander "Political Philosophy" (VA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Judgments on History and Historians (Paperback)

Jacob Burckhardt (1818-1897) was one of the most brilliant historians of the 19th century. Burckhardt was a professor of history and the history of art at the University of Basel from 1858-1893. He believed studying customs and manners of an era were more insightful than studying institutions. He also thought that by studying literature and art of a historic period one would see it contained a more meaningful truth than the history of events. This book is composed from a series of notes for lectures Burckhardt delivered from 1865-1885 at the U. of Basel. This book is a defiant counter-cultural look at human history from antiquity to the time of Napoleon. Burckhardt does not judge history by modern day standards, but seeks to find each historical epoch's own intrinsic meaning to the intellectual and artistic treasure of mankind. The historian's job is to observe, contemplate and enjoy. Although; not quick to judge the past, Burckhardt was quick to ridicule the "smugness" of his present times. Burckhardt had grave misgivings about "popular egalitarian democracy", watching it corrupt culture and politics. Burckhardt was an environmentalist worried about the ravaging of the earths natural resources during the industrial revolution. Additionally, Burckhardt was very wary of the growth of the "state" politically and believed it was only a matter of time before the tyranny of the `state' would steal mans liberty. Yet, Burckhardt was no pessimist, he was a "philosopher of freedom", believing man could rise above the bleakest of circumstances.

He is an astute observer and is fascinating to read. His lectures have the clarity and historic scope like that of Lord Acton's works. I recommend this book to anyone who is interested in political philosophy, and history.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One Of The Best Historians From The 19th Century!, May 31, 2009

By 

Michael A Neulander "Political Philosophy" (VA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

Jacob Burckhardt (1818-1897) was one of the most brilliant historians of the 19th century. Burckhardt was a professor of history and the history of art at the University of Basel from 1858-1893. He believed studying customs and manners of an era were more insightful than studying institutions. He also thought that by studying literature and art of a historic period contained a more meaningful truth than the history of events. This book is composed from a series of notes for lectures Burckhardt delivered from 1865-1885 at the U. of Basel. This book is a defiant counter-cultural look at human history from antiquity to the time of Napoleon. Burckhardt does not judge history by modern day standards, but seeks to find each historical epoch's own intrinsic meaning to the intellectual and artistic treasure of mankind. The historian's job is to observe, contemplate and enjoy. Although; not quick to judge the past, Burckhardt was quick to ridicule the "smugness" of his present times. Burckhardt had grave misgivings about "popular egalitarian democracy," watching it corrupt culture and politics. Burckhardt was an environmentalist worried about the ravaging of the earths natural resources during the industrial revolution. Burckhardt was very wary of the growth of the state politically and believed it was only a matter of time before the tyranny of the state would steal people's liberty. Yet, Burckhardt is no pessimist, he was a "philosopher of freedom," believing man could rise above the bleakest of circumstances.

He is an astute observer and is fascinating to read. His lectures have the clarity and historic scope like that of Lord Acton's works. I recommend this book to anyone who is interested in political philosophy, and history.

5.0 out of 5 stars One Of The Best Historians From The 19th Century!, May 31, 2009

By 

Michael A Neulander "Political Philosophy" (VA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

Jacob Burckhardt (1818-1897) was one of the most brilliant historians of the 19th century. Burckhardt was a professor of history and the history of art at the University of Basel from 1858-1893. He believed studying customs and manners of an era were more insightful than studying institutions. He also thought that by studying literature and art of a historic period contained a more meaningful truth than the history of events. This book is composed from a series of notes for lectures Burckhardt delivered from 1865-1885 at the U. of Basel. This book is a defiant counter-cultural look at human history from antiquity to the time of Napoleon. Burckhardt does not judge history by modern day standards, but seeks to find each historical epoch's own intrinsic meaning to the intellectual and artistic treasure of mankind. The historian's job is to observe, contemplate and enjoy. Although; not quick to judge the past, Burckhardt was quick to ridicule the "smugness" of his present times. Burckhardt had grave misgivings about "popular egalitarian democracy," watching it corrupt culture and politics. Burckhardt was an environmentalist worried about the ravaging of the earths natural resources during the industrial revolution. Burckhardt was very wary of the growth of the state politically and believed it was only a matter of time before the tyranny of the state would steal people's liberty. Yet, Burckhardt is no pessimist, he was a "philosopher of freedom," believing man could rise above the bleakest of circumstances.

He is an astute observer and is fascinating to read. His lectures have the clarity and historic scope like that of Lord Acton's works. I recommend this book to anyone who is interested in political philosophy, and history.