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Title: The Pursuit of Glory: The Five Revolutions that Made Modern Europe: 1648-1815 (Penguin History of Europe)
ISBN: 0143113895
Author:
Tim Blanning
Publicate Date: 2008-05-27
Publish: 2008-05-27
List Price: $20.00
Average Customer Rating: 4.5
Format: Paperback
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Amazon Lowest New Price: $11.05
Amazon Lowest Used Price: $8.46
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| Customer Review: |
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1: Extensive but Readable
An outstanding review of the period 1650 to 1815 in European history. Filled with many informative and interesting details. I have read a number of works on English, French or German history of this period, but
this work does a terrific job of tying them together -- cultural, social, political history of all the main players. Very readable and
thorough, with some interesting viewpoints expressed, which are thought provoking. Highly recommended. I will definitely look for more works by
Blanning.
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2: Interesting ideas, but rambling and repetitive
I especially find the "rambling and repetitive" issues with this book ironic that here on the web, though not on the hardcopy pages of the book, an editor gets cobilling with the author.
Does this book need to be as long as the four volumes that the Durants used for this same period? No. In fact, this would have been a great read with 100 fewer pages and better organization.
Beyond that, the "five revolutions" of the subtitle get muddied and mushed together at times. Weaving them together would have been one thing, but muddling them together is another.
Finally, beyond the lack of footnotes noted by another reviewer, is the paucity of maps. Two maps on France, of its polity divisions under the Bourbons and of its departments-division by the Revolution, should be sine qua nons for a book like this. And, given where many of the wars were fought, one of the Lower Rhine/Low Countries should also have been in here.
As it was, I got some new empirical insights into the start of British growth and development, like the rise in toll roads, and generally better British organization.
This might be a borderline 3/4 star if I'm really generous, but it's ranked too highly by too many other people, so it gets a downward bump from me.
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3: History at its best
The period discussed by this book starts in the reign of Louis the XIV King of France then the most powerful country in Europe. Louis was famous for saying that "he was the state" and that his aim was the pursuit of glory the title of the book. By the end of the period Kings no longer ruled alone and rather than the state being their own personal possession they were its servant.
Rather than being a straight narrative the book looks at a number of "revolutions" or changes which changed forever the European framework. In 1645 France was by far the strongest European power. Its main rival had previously been a dynastic amalgam called the Hapsburg Empire. What happened was a gradual shift to the North of Europe. Austria slowly evolved into a major power by the reconquest of Hungary and the Balkans. Prussia emerged as perhaps the first nation and Britain became an immensely rich commercial empire. In the East Muscovy expanded to become the Russian Empire.
There was no uniform reason for the changes that occurred. Certainly the agricultural revolution allowed states to become richer as greater agricultural surpluses were available to create larger towns and more complex economies. There was the development of a body of ideas which led to secularism but each state had its own path. Britain saw with its Glorious Revolution of 1688 the development of a government which shared authority between King and Parliament. It allowed for a more flexible approach to changing societal institutions and to creating a bigger tax base and a more efficient administration. However the changes in Prussia were due to the talents of two of its Kings, Frederick the Great and his father. They developed a militaristic culture which saw a partnership of the nobility and the monarchy ruling a secular and tolerant state. Russia was an absolute Monarchy but it faced two opponents who were both in a state of decay and faced overwhelming coalitions of enemies Poland and Turkey.
The book was it seems written as part of Penguins history series. Despite this the book was very well received getting rapturous reviews. One can see why on reading it. The writing is easy and it is as close to a page turner you get with historical works. The clarity of its observations is such that one feels a real insight into the complex changes both in the structure of life in Europe and the political and social map.
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4: An Ambitious Book
I found Pursuit of Glory to be an extremely erudite analysis of Europe from 1648 to the end of the Napoleonic War in 1815, but a difficult read in some instances. The material covered is broad, which has some effect in the flow of the book. There is a prodigious amount of information in this substantial volume. Topics ranging from infrastructure such as road systems to religious beliefs and practices including the prosecution of witches in the earlier period of the years covered in this book, all make for an informative reading experience.
The various wars fought throughout the continent, the different monarchies, the growth of nations and their military and economic stature, the age of reason, the role of religion, and so many other facets to life and change in Europe all receive attention. Personally, I love reading books like this that have so much to offer, but I think in this case, it contributed to my slower progress in the time it took to complete the book. The book seemed to lack in some of the characteristics found in other narrative histories, which I prefer, but I think my own ignorance of many aspects of this period in history accounted for this slower progress as well.
The various monarchs discussed, the age of Napoleon, and other topics proved easier to digest, at least for me. The "Enlightenment" age comes into focus; the age of reason and scientific advancement as well as the strength of religious influences are all discussed to show what was changing and what wasn't. The role of music and art are other areas of concern used to demonstrate changing attitudes. So many fascinating subjects are touched upon. For those more interested in the campaigns and battles fought, you'll get a good taste of these fields to, though not with great depth.
What really comes into focus throughout this book is the changing power structures in Europe, i.e. which countries were rising in prowess and which ones were slowly lessening in influence, especially in regards to their economic, political, and military clout. Good examples are found in the major players such as France, England, Russia, Prussia and the German states, and others as well. Be prepared to be bombarded with a lot of information on various aspects of European history covering the span of about 150 years in this very ambitious and substantial book. Blanning did not use footnotes or endnotes in this book, which some will like and others won't. Needless to say, he seems to know his subject matter well. A challenging, but worthwhile read.
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5: The Pursuit of Glory
The armchair historian is in for a riveting review of history from 1648 to 1815. Blanning manages to make the usually tedious chapters on manufacturing and agriculture come alive with insight and an unfailingly witty prose. The sections devoted to Government and the development of the State are unusually cogent, and none are neglected or given short shrift. From Ireland to the Russian steppes, Blanning covers it all. The glory and the gore; the enlightented and the dim. A wonderful overview that stands shoulder to shoulder with the best historical prose.
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