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Title: The European Nobility, 1400-1800 (New Approaches to European History) by Jonathan Dewald, William Beik, T. C. W. Blanning ISBN: 0-521-42528-X Publisher: Cambridge University Press Pub. Date: 16 May, 1996 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $21.00 |
Average Customer Rating: 4 (2 reviews)
Rating: 4
Summary: Pretty good introductory treatment
Comment: Unlike the two systematic studies by Michael L. Bush, to which he refers approvingly, Dewald offers an extended interpretative essay, the theme of which is the evolution of the Continental nobility (or aristocracy -- he regards the terms as overlapping but distinct in meaning) during the four centuries between the end of the Middle Ages and the arrival of the French Revolution. Though small in absolute numbers, the nobility controlled most of the land and all of the politics on the Continent until well into the 19th century, and the author maintains that they managed to do this despite wars, revolutions, and the coming of modern industry because they were very effective in adapting to the changes around them. He also argues that from one country and culture to the next, nobles faced similar problems and responded to them in very similar ways. Intended as an introductory text on the subject, this is an excellent historical survey for the beginning student.
Rating: 4
Summary: Great, but repetitive, evaluation of noble resiliency
Comment: Dewald has written something interesting here -- a social history of a group that social historians typically avoid. The nobility has gotten a lot of attention in more traditional history, and that is why they've been largely ignored in the social realm, but Dewald has carefully studied them, and challenged many of notions of nobility that have been strong since Tocqueville.
Primarily, he tackles the idea of the decline of the nobility, and shows that instead of declining, the nobility weathered the Early Modern period by being resilient and adaptable -- though the group was fundamentally changed, it still remained strong.
That is the main thrust of the book, and he considers their resiliency in aspects of the make-up of the nobility, their wealth and economics, their politics, and their involvement in culture. He concludes with an brief analysis of the effects of the French Revolution on the group, and how it contributed to the fundamental change the nobility underwent, from privileged order to ruling class.
This is a readable, interesting book. The only problem lies in a strong repetitiveness. I have no complaints about the book's organization, but it in some ways contributes to this, and Dewald ends up having to repeat conclusions he made just pages before. Sometimes the repetition becomes quite tedious, but as a whole, the book remains interesting and readable.
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