The Old World and the New: 1492-1650 (Canto) [Paperback]

J. H. Elliott (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 31, 1992

The impact of Europe on a newly-discovered world of America has long been a subject of historical fascination. Yet the impact of that discovery and conquest for the European conquering powers has traditionally received less attention. In this pioneering book J. H. Elliott set out to show how traditional European assumptions about geography, theology, history and the nature of man were challenged by the encounter with new lands and people; trading relationships around the world were affected by an influx of gold and silver imports from America; while politically, the sources of power were no longer confined to European territory. The 500th anniversary of Columbus's discovery has prompted renewed enquiry into the relationship of the Old World and the New; John Elliott's fascinating and now classic account is here reissued with a new foreword addressing the significance of the book's insights for a new generation of readers.

Editorial Reviews

Review

'... certainly one of the most stimulating books that I have read for some years, ...' J. H. Plumb, The New York Times Book Review

Book Description

This pioneering work made the first sustained exploration of the consequences for Europe of the discovery and settlement of America, in intellectual, economic, social and political terms. It is reissued here with a new foreword.

Product Details

• Paperback: 136 pages
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press (January 31, 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0521427096
• ISBN-13: 978-0521427098
• Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 5.5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #554,444 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Classic study which stands the test of time, September 18, 2011

By 

Cantabman "mccorman" (Portland, Oregon) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: The Old World and the New: 1492-1650 (Canto) (Paperback)

J.H. Elliott is one of the great historians, and this book (despite being two generations old) is still worth reading. The themes are stimulating, the evidence wide-ranging and well marshalled. It is a model of how to integrate cultural, economic, intellectual, social and political histories.

I must also note that OccamsRazor either is reviewing the wrong book, or is very confused. Elliott does not have the political agenda attributed to him, and the book does not mention--at all--the American founders, the Constitution or the Iroquois Confederacy, which is not surprising given that the American Revolution occurred more than a century after the period covered by this book.

7 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Interesting but deeply flawed, September 14, 2007

By 

OccamsRazor (West Hollywood, Ca, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Old World and the New: 1492-1650 (Canto) (Paperback)

Some rather fascinating information about the exchange of materials and ideas between Europe and the New World. However, the veracity of the data is corrupted by a rather crude but ubiquitous " Native American-good, European--bad" attitude. It is unfortunate, that the consistent political agenda makes this title difficult to accept as work of genuine scholarship. For instance, the author makes a claim that American Founders' ideas were based in their entirety(!) upon the Constitution of the Iroquois Nations, while discounting in its entirety(!) the influence Classical thought and Enlightenment has had upon the Founders. Indeed, the author claims that the ideas of Enlightenment were largely imported from the New World ( see Noble Savage). Verdict:a fun read, but highly suspect scholarship.
Not recommended for impressionable readers incapable of critical analysis.