Description

pp. x, [1] 321 (volume 1) & pp. x, [1] 438 (volume 2). Slight crease on the back-cover of Vol. I and on the front cover of Vol. II. From the rear covers, “This is an unusual and sophisticated two-volume collection of discussion problems and readings dealing with such topics in the early modern period as: ancient and Christian revivalists, the religious reformer as man, the importance of the Reformation, the expansion of Europe, mid-seventeenth-century revolutions, the travails of constitutionalism, the extension of state bureaucracy, commercial capitalism and social change, the Enlightenment, the persistence of feudal society, and the fate of monarchy. The topical arrangement shows how historical development is spread over a long period of time and differs widely in the various countries. Many of the selections are from hard-to-get-at books and articles and are presented in depth rather than snippet form. The editor offers sparkling and challenging introductions to each topic and each selection and urges the reader to place himself as much as possible in the position of the historical persons as they faced their contemporary crises.” paperback edition