Summaries of books about European History:
Queen of Fashion
What Marie Antoinette Wore to the Revolution (PICADOR)
Caroline Weber
The book delves into the fashion choices of Marie Antoinette, exploring how her extravagant wardrobe choices reflected and influenced the politics and culture of her time. It examines the role her style played in her downfall and the French Revolution, highlighting the intersection of fashion, power, and history.
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Grand Transitions
How the Modern World Was Made
Vaclav Smil
The book examines the fundamental changes in energy use, food production, demographics, and governance that have shaped the modern world. It explores the unprecedented transitions in human history that have led to the current state of global civilization, including industrialization, urbanization, and the rise of economic and political systems.
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Madness in Civilization
A Cultural History of Insanity, from the Bible to Freud, from the Madhouse to Modern Medicine
Andrew Scull
The book traces the historical perception and treatment of mental illness, exploring how madness has been understood through religious, medical, and social lenses. It examines the evolution of psychiatric theories and institutions, from ancient times to the advent of contemporary mental health practices.
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A Farewell to Alms
A Brief Economic History of the World
Gregory Clark
The book presents a provocative examination of the reasons for the divergence in economic growth between industrialized nations and poorer parts of the world since the Industrial Revolution. It argues that differences in productivity and economic success may be attributed to long-term cultural and genetic changes among populations, challenging conventional explanations based on institutional and policy factors.
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Inventing Human Rights
A History
Lynn Hunt
The book traces the evolution of human rights from the 18th century, examining how literature and political events like the American and French revolutions shaped the concept. It argues that the development of empathy through the novel as a literary form played a crucial role in making human rights a universal concern.
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A Culture of Growth
The Origins of the Modern Economy
Joel Mokyr
The book explores the cultural factors and intellectual changes in Europe between 1500 and 1700 that laid the groundwork for the Industrial Revolution and the sustained economic growth that followed. It examines the rise of a belief in progress and the critical role played by the exchange of knowledge and ideas in fostering the conditions necessary for the modern economy to emerge.
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The Ukrainian Night
An Intimate History of Revolution
Marci Shore
The book delves into personal experiences and stories of individuals who participated in the 2013-2014 Ukrainian revolution, known as the Euromaidan. It explores the emotional and intellectual awakening that took place among activists, as they confronted authoritarianism, corruption, and their own hopes for a democratic, European future for Ukraine.
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The Essence of Style
How the French Invented High Fashion, Fine Food, Chic Cafes, Style, Sophistication, and Glamour
Joan DeJean
The book explores the origins of French luxury culture in the 17th century, detailing how King Louis XIV's court set the standards for fashion, cuisine, and elegance that defined the essence of style. It examines the influence of this period on modern tastes and the global perception of French sophistication and glamour.
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The Cash Nexus
Money and Power in the Modern World, 1700-2000
Niall Ferguson
The book explores the complex relationship between economic and political power over three centuries, arguing that financial aspects often drive historical events and political outcomes. It examines the evolution of financial institutions, the impact of economic networks on empires and states, and challenges the notion that economic forces are secondary to politics and ideology in shaping world history.
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Power and Plenty
Trade, War, and the World Economy in the Second Millennium
Ronald Findlay|Kevin H. O'Rourke
The book provides a comprehensive analysis of the interplay between trade and economic development over the last thousand years, examining how wars, empires, and international commerce have shaped the global economy. It delves into historical episodes to understand the forces driving the rise and fall of nations and the evolution of international economic relations.
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