A deadly continental struggle; the Thirty Years War devastated seventeenth-century Europe; killing nearly a quarter of all Germans and laying waste to towns and countryside alike. Peter Wilson offers the first new history in a generation of a horrifying conflict that transformed the map of the modern world.When defiant Bohemians tossed the Habsburg emperor’s envoys from the castle windows in Prague in 1618; the Holy Roman Empire struck back with a vengeance. Bohemia was ravaged by mercenary troops in the first battle of a conflagration that would engulf Europe from Spain to Sweden. The sweeping narrative encompasses dramatic events and unforgettable individuals―the sack of Magdeburg; the Dutch revolt; the Swedish militant king Gustavus Adolphus; the imperial generals; opportunistic Wallenstein and pious Tilly; and crafty diplomat Cardinal Richelieu. In a major reassessment; Wilson argues that religion was not the catalyst; but one element in a lethal stew of political; social; and dynastic forces that fed the conflict. By war’s end a recognizably modern Europe had been created; but at what price? The Thirty Years War condemned the Germans to two centuries of internal division and international impotence and became a benchmark of brutality for centuries. As late as the 1960s; Germans placed it ahead of both world wars and the Black Death as their country’s greatest disaster.An understanding of the Thirty Years War is essential to comprehending modern European history. Wilson’s masterful book will stand as the definitive account of this epic conflict.For a map of Central Europe in 1618; referenced on page XVI; please visit the book feature.
#1058948 in Books Harvard University Press 2011-04-15 2011-05-15Original language:FrenchPDF # 1 8.25 x 1.29 x 5.76l; 1.21 #File Name: 0674049640384 pages
Review
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful. Awakened me!By kingfireAwakening Islam is perhaps the best book written about the Islamic revival of Saudi Arabia in the middle of the 20th century. I read the Arabic translation of this work. The author; Stephane; spent 6 years of his life researching this historical black hole. The book is extremely detailed; with extended biographies of many people from different social spaces; lots of dates; names; locations; and political and social theories. Stephane used a variety of sources; including; books; magazines; letters; official statements and statistics. However; due to the academic dishonesty of many pens during that time; and the rarity of the material; he heavily relied on personal interviews; which some might validly argue that it makes this book less reliable.Although enjoyable; this is a not an easy read; especially if you are not familiar with Arabic names. Lots of the names mentioned in the book might confuse those who don't speak Arabic; and the historical facts about that time will shock many. The book is also not written in chronological order. It jumps back of forth in time because it is driven by the social groups and subgroups of that period rather than the historical narrative of the country. However; it only does that in a limited sense so that it never jumps too far ahead and leave the reader wondering what happened between the two points in time.Like many other academic books; this could have used better editing: the author tend to go into tangent topics in the middle of paragraphs. This breaks the flow of the book. This happens a lot when a new name is introduced. The author crams in a biography of that mentioned writer or clergy in the middle of a paragraph that describes a related idea. However; this simply might only be a problem of the translation I read.What distinguishes this book is the author's academic ingerity: Stephane rarely does comment on the behaviors and ideas of the people of that period; no matter how absurd they seem. He paints a picture of what was taking place and let you--the reader-- judge it. This is why we know so little about this period of Saudi history despite how modern it is: many Arab and Islamic writers are immersed in their ideologies that they are willing to sacrifice their academic integrity in order to defend the ideologies.Despite its academic style and dense subject matter; this is a highly recommended journey into the history of the Islamic awakening in Saudi Arabia; an awakening that we Saudis still feel its effects today.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Academic and InterestingBy Will JeromA description and analysis of Islamist ideas that emerged in protest of the Saud Government; “Awakening Islam†provides a very useful resource in understanding the religion and politics of Saudi Arabia. Focusing on the ideas “Sahwa†movement; composed of the ulema and academics of the Saudi Kingdom; it will probably be of much more use to advanced academics already familiar with the currents of radical Islam than to the introductory student. For me it shed some important light; but I would only recommend it for those who already had some background and familiarity with the religion and politics of the Saudi Kingdom.3 of 18 people found the following review helpful. Religous PoliticsBy Mr. L. A. SpongThis book is an extremely detailed analysis of Islamic Social Development; in Saudi Arabia; from 1950 until 1980.It illustrates the weakness of leaders using moral concepts for political purposes.
