EUROPE SINCE NAPOLEON - SECOND EDITION

THE present condition of europe, and the pattern of Europe’s development since the upheavals of the French Revolution and Napoleonic conquests, can be fully understood only if attention is focused upon certain all-embracing themes which hav affected the whole of Europe (including Great Britain) since 1789 On the assumption that a collection of histories of the separate countries of Europe would not be a history of Europe, Dr. Thomson focuses upon those forces that have swept Europe as a whole. He emphasises events and massive movements such as the growth of population, industrialisation, overseas expansion, the impact of nationalism, democracy and socialism, the connection between war and revolution. He explores and explains them not country by country but phase by phase, so that the development of European civilisation over the past century and a half is unfolded as a continuous whole. The result is an integral history in the full sense of the term. Because the main themes of his subject are so clearly analysed, Dr. Thomson can present an astonishing quantity of detail in a forceful way that fixes it in the mind. Here is, for instance , no empty statement that the French Revolution was inevitable; here is a human being, Louis XVI, trying to deal with dilemmas which finally overwhelm him. Here is no abstract description of the growth of republicanism; here rather is a pithy and provocative explanation of the influence of parliamentary government in Europe. Thus the study of impersonal trends and gigantic movements is brought to life by a succession of vivid sketches of the leading actors. Dr. Thomson’s vigorous and flexible prose is a magnificent instrument for setting forth the sweep, the drama, and the significance of modern European history. After an introductory section analysing the main features of the Napoleonic era, this volume swings into its full stride and carries the coursing European drama unerringly through to our own day Dr. Thomson’s book received an enthusiastic welcome on its first appearance in 1957 and it was reprinted three times. For this Second Edition the narrative has been extended to the year 1960 and the bibliography has been brought up to date; the text and index have been thoroughly revised.

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