DOC The Pursuit of Glory: The Five Revolutions that Made Modern Europe: 1648-1815 (The Penguin History of Europe) by Tim Blanning in History

Review

0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Great themes of Enlightenment; the emergence of the nation-state; and the notion of democracyBy Robert J. CrawfordI bought this book in order to read about the aftermath of the Thirty Years War; in which the notion of national sovereignty essentially overtook the extreme fragmentation of the feudal era. What I found instead was a dazzling exposition of the evolution of European society from 1648 to 1815; when Absolutism and the Enlightenment reigned; the State was consolidated and then challenged by the "nation"; and the democratic political revolution began and failed; ending in military dictatorship and a war so savage that the destruction and killing were on a par with WWI.The book starts off with a basic analysis on life and death; including how primitive transportation was; how horrendously difficult life really was in the countryside; and how the economy for most had barely changed since antiquity even with steam power and the beginnings of the industrial revolution. People were almost all born poor; worked their entire lives; and died with little prospect of improvement of their station in life. While this in many ways is the driest part of the book; it is essential for what follows and indeed for putting one's modern life in perspective.The chapters on power and institutions were particularly fascinating to me. First; with the consolidation of centralized control and the relative decline of feudal aristocrats; there was the absolutist impulse. This supposedly put unprecedented power into the hands of a sovereign; though Blanning questions whether the notion is as cut and dried as historians have made it out to be. Second; he examines in great detail who the elites were; how they could achieve rank and power; and how their positions were changing. While essentially aristocratic as based on land ownership and religious offices; these bases were giving way to urban centers; merchants; and industrialists; which were more secular; much of this was inchoate until the French Revolution; of course; but he proves it was in motion long before the 19C upheavals we associate with them. Third; he looks at how the function of institutions were changing; as in the development of parliamentary checks and balances but also in the development of a professional bureaucracy staffed by educated men of varying backgrounds. Finally; in reference to the title; Blanning argues that much of what happened was due to the actions of kings and princes; whose principal motivation was personal glory and pride or face.There is also a long section on religion and culture. The church; he argues; experienced a golden age of influence on the powerful and everyday life in spite of the image of Enlightenment challenges to its authority. This was the Baroque age as well as one of protestant diversification. Moreover; he posits; the rationalist philosophies that emerged were largely ignored or superceded by their romantic critics; gaining currency only in limited circles and disciplines. Finally; Blanning explains the political nature behind the art and architecture that arose in this period; with a particular focus on Louis XIV. Again; it is fascinating; a kind of Kulturgeschichte expressed in dense and elegant writing; each section a mini-essay that stands on it own.The concluding chapters on the military situation; with a focus on Alfred the Great (with a militarization of a society) and Napoleon (using citizens to mobilize for total war); were too brief in my view; skimming over what were immensely complex wars and rapidly evolving political systems. I was disapppointed because these were the questions I wanted addressed in great detail; but then; this is not a linear history on politics and war. I will have to seek it this elsewhere. A great theme I took away was how the state came to merge with the "nation" in this period; not only ending the sprawling and loosely organized multi-ethnic empires; but also bringing a new sense of identity as belonging to a political entity that is supposed to be more representative; if not yet democratic.Though a bit unusual in its organization - it is not a narrative history and follows no clear chronological order - this book offers a wonderful reading experience about the early modern period in European history. It is organized about broad themes and hence not for everyone; but it absorbed my attention for a full 6 weeks of delight and near complete satisfaction. While it would be better to have some idea of what events were taking place; Blanning alludes to them in passing - this will slow some readers down; but is more or less sufficient. Finally; I would have preferred extensive footnotes; but it is not an academic book so much as a popular history. There is a good annotated bibliography.Recommended warmly.2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. An Ambitious BookBy David MontgomeryI 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.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Five StarsBy Customerpleased