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New Studies in European History Series

This series delves into pivotal themes within early modern and modern European history, spanning a vast geographical range from Southern and Central Europe to Scandinavia and Russia. It publishes ambitious research that provides broad context and deep insights. The collection explores the evolution of Europe from the Renaissance to the present day, offering intellectually stimulating analyses.

Liberty and Locality in Revolutionary France
New Studies in European History
The French Second Empire
Making Prussians, raising Germans
The world Hitler never made
Fatherlands

Recommended Reading Order

  • Fatherlands

    State-Building and Nationhood in Nineteenth-Century Germany

    • 400 pages
    • 14 hours of reading

    Exploring identity in nineteenth-century Germany, the book delves into nationalism, German unification, and state formation outside Prussian influence. It examines the state-building process through various facets, including railway construction, industrialization, and the modernization of the monarchy. The emergence of a free press, the development of education, and the significance of monuments and public festivities are also pivotal themes, offering a comprehensive understanding of the era's socio-political landscape.

    Fatherlands

  • The French Second Empire

    An Anatomy of Political Power

    • 520 pages
    • 19 hours of reading
    2.8(5)Add rating

    Focusing on the political ascent of Louis-Napoleon Bonaparte, the book delves into his election as President and subsequent establishment of the Second Empire through a coup d'état. It explores the exercise of power under his regime and the shift towards a more liberal government. However, this transition is interrupted by a disastrous war against Prussia, leading to the regime's collapse. Thoroughly researched, the work enhances understanding of a critical period in French history following the 1848 revolution and the mid-century crisis.

    The French Second Empire

  • New Studies in European History

    Greening Democracy explains how nuclear energy became a seminal political issue and motivated democratic engagement in West Germany during the 1970s. It charts how anti-nuclear protest became the basis for citizens' increasing engagement in self-governance, expanding conceptions of democracy beyond electoral politics and helping to make quotidian personal concerns political.

    New Studies in European History

  • Liberty and Locality in Revolutionary France

    • 322 pages
    • 12 hours of reading

    Exploring the transformative period between old and new France from 1760 to 1820, this comparative micro-history delves into the social, political, and cultural shifts that shaped the nation. It examines key events and figures, providing insights into the lives of ordinary people amidst revolutionary changes. Through detailed analysis, the book highlights the complexities of this era, revealing how the legacies of the past influenced the emergence of modern France.

    Liberty and Locality in Revolutionary France

  • Greening democracy

    • 296 pages
    • 11 hours of reading
    5.0(1)Add rating

    This book reveals how concerns about nuclear reactors made ordinary people into environmentalists and promoted democratic engagement in West Germany during the 1970s.

    Greening democracy

  • Mussolini's Nation-Empire

    • 300 pages
    • 11 hours of reading
    3.9(6)Add rating

    This book delves into Mussolini's strategic use of population settlement both within Italy and in its empire to bolster national sovereignty. It examines the policies and implications of these settlements, highlighting their role in shaping Italy's identity and asserting control over territories. Through detailed analysis, the author reveals how these efforts were integral to Mussolini's vision for a unified and powerful Italy.

    Mussolini's Nation-Empire

  • Popular culture and the public sphere in the Rhineland, 1800 - 1850

    4.4(3)Add rating

    "The age of revolution challenged the ancien regime's political world, introducing Europeans to new ideals of citizenship. German society was no less affected. Following the Napoleonic era, a political culture of partisan choice undermined the official restoration of absolutism. Bourgeois and popular classes took part in the new political landscape of civil society, producing an impressive social base for participatory politics by the 1830s. Because of severe restrictions on speech and assembly, ordinary Germans formed political opinions in irregular ways. This book looks at the sites and forms of culture that facilitated political communication. With chapters devoted to reading, singing, public space, carnival, violence, and religion, James Brophy argues that popular culture played a critical role in linking ordinary Rhinelanders to the public sphere. Moving beyond conventional explanations of opinion formation, he breaks new ground by exposing the broad cultural infrastructure that enabled popular classes to join the political nation."--Jacket

    Popular culture and the public sphere in the Rhineland, 1800 - 1850

  • Protest, Reform and Repression in Khrushchev's Soviet Union

    • 324 pages
    • 12 hours of reading
    4.0(1)Add rating

    Utilizing declassified archival material, the author examines the dynamics of political protest and government repression in the post-Stalin Soviet Union. The analysis sheds light on the complex relationship between citizens and the state during this transformative period, revealing insights into the strategies employed by both protesters and the government. Through this exploration, the book provides a deeper understanding of the political landscape and the challenges faced by individuals seeking to voice dissent.

    Protest, Reform and Repression in Khrushchev's Soviet Union

  • Debating the Woman Question in the French Third Republic, 1870-1920

    • 712 pages
    • 25 hours of reading

    The book delves into the intense discussions surrounding women's rights and roles during the French Third Republic. It provides a thorough reconstruction and analysis of the debates that defined this era, highlighting the social, political, and cultural factors at play. By examining various perspectives, the work sheds light on the complexities of gender issues and the impact of these discussions on French society.

    Debating the Woman Question in the French Third Republic, 1870-1920

  • Memory Laws, Memory Wars

    Introduction; 1. The rise of memory and the origins of memory laws; 2. Memory laws in Western Europe; 3. Memory laws in Eastern Europe; 4. Memory laws in Ukraine; 5. Memory laws in Yeltsin's Russia; 6. Memory laws in Putin's Russia; Conclusion.

    Memory Laws, Memory Wars

  • Carnal Commerce in Counter-Reformation Rome

    • 316 pages
    • 12 hours of reading
    4.8(4)Add rating

    Exploring the period from 1566 to 1656, this study delves into the lives of ordinary prostitutes and their clients in post-Counter-Reformation Rome. Utilizing diverse archival sources, it uncovers the reasons behind women's entry into prostitution, their relationships with clients, and the economic aspects of their lives. Notarial documents reveal insights into their earnings and lifestyles, challenging the notion that Counter-Reformation reforms successfully curtailed prostitution, which persisted as a profitable venture for many women despite efforts at social control.

    Carnal Commerce in Counter-Reformation Rome

  • Individuality and Modernity in Berlin

    • 324 pages
    • 12 hours of reading

    The book explores the manipulation of European culture by Nazi Germany, revealing how literature, philosophy, and the arts were distorted to serve ideological goals. David B. Dennis uncovers the extensive efforts of activists to rewrite history and reshape aesthetics, aiming to influence the perception of the 'German mind.' This unprecedented account highlights the intersection of art and propaganda during a tumultuous period in history.

    Individuality and Modernity in Berlin

  • Export Empire

    • 402 pages
    • 15 hours of reading

    A major new interpretation of Nazi influence in southeastern Europe through the concepts of soft power and informal empire. Inhaltsverzeichnis Introduction: the foundations of soft power and informal empire; Part I. German Power in the Wilhelmine Empire and the Weimar Republic: 1. The legacy of Wilhelmine imperialism and the First World War, 1890-1920; 2. The economics of trade: building commercial networks in southeastern Europe, 1925-30; 3. The culture of trade: cultural diplomacy and area studies in southeastern Europe, 1925-30; 4. The politics of trade: Paneuropa, Mitteleuropa, and the Great Depression, 1929-33; Part II. Nazi Imperialism: 5. Stabilising the Reichsmark bloc: commercial networks in the Third Reich, 1933-9; 6. Economic pioneers or missionaries of the Third Reich? Cultural diplomacy in southeastern Europe, 1933-9; 7. Forging a hinterland: German development aid in the Balkans, 1934-40; 8. The Second World War: informal empire transformed, 1939-45; Conclusion: imperialism realised?

    Export Empire

  • The Russian roots of Nazism

    • 344 pages
    • 13 hours of reading
    3.8(21)Add rating

    This book examines the overlooked topic of the influence of anti-Bolshevik, anti-Semitic Russian exiles on Nazism. White émigrés contributed politically, financially, militarily, and ideologically to National Socialism. This work refutes the notion that Nazism developed as a peculiarly German phenomenon: it arose primarily from the cooperation between völkisch (nationalist/racist) Germans and vengeful White émigrés. From 1920-1923, Adolf Hitler collaborated with a conspiratorial far right German-White émigré organization, Aufbau (Reconstruction). Aufbau allied with Nazis to overthrow the German government and Bolshevik rule through terrorism and military-paramilitary schemes. This organization's warnings of the monstrous 'Jewish Bolshevik' peril helped to inspire Hitler to launch an invasion of the Soviet Union and to initiate the mass murder of European Jews. This book uses extensive archival materials from Germany and Russia, including recently declassified documents, and will prove invaluable reading for anyone interested in the international roots of National Socialism.

    The Russian roots of Nazism

  • Economistes and the Reinvention of Empire

    This history of the struggles to regenerate France's colonial empire in the eighteenth century reveals how political economists, colonial administrators and planters shaped the recalibration of empire in the Americas and Africa, unearthing connections between Ancien Regime colonial innovation and the French Revolution's republican imperial agenda.

    Economistes and the Reinvention of Empire

  • Family and Community in Early Modern Spain

    The Citizens of Granada, 1570 1739

    • 332 pages
    • 12 hours of reading

    Exploring the dynamics of power and familial influence in early modern Granada, this innovative study delves into how family structures shaped political and social landscapes. It examines the intricate relationships and networks that defined authority, highlighting the unique interplay between personal and political realms in this historical context. Through detailed analysis, the book sheds light on the significance of family in the broader narrative of Granada's history.

    Family and Community in Early Modern Spain

  • Re-Writing the French Revolutionary Tradition

    • 404 pages
    • 15 hours of reading
    4.0(5)Add rating

    Focusing on the political dynamics during the Bourbon Restoration and early July Monarchy, the book explores how grassroots organization and persuasion facilitated change, rather than traditional methods of conspiracy and violence. It highlights the connection between common citizens and the political elite, emphasizing the conflict between advocates of national and royal sovereignty. The author examines the interactions among various political factions, illustrating how the Liberals, despite their initial success, ultimately contributed to the instability of the Orleanist regime while laying the groundwork for future reform.

    Re-Writing the French Revolutionary Tradition

  • Christian Democracy and the Origins of European Union

    • 390 pages
    • 14 hours of reading
    3.5(7)Add rating

    Exploring the influence of European Christian democratic parties, this book delves into their significant contributions to the formation and development of the European Union. It examines how these political entities shaped policies, values, and the overall structure of the EU, highlighting their impact on integration and governance within the continent. Through historical analysis, it reveals the interplay between religion, politics, and European identity, offering insights into the complexities of European unity.

    Christian Democracy and the Origins of European Union

  • The French Second Empire

    • 518 pages
    • 19 hours of reading

    This comprehensive history explores the complexities of Napoleon III's Second Empire in France, highlighting its political, social, and cultural dimensions. It delves into the challenges and achievements of the era, examining the impact of Napoleon III's leadership on France and Europe. The book offers insights into the empire's innovations, conflicts, and eventual downfall, providing a nuanced understanding of this pivotal period in French history.

    The French Second Empire

  • New Studies in European History

    The first exploration of how Mussolini's Italy employed population settlement inside the nation and across the empire to consolidate its rule. Roberta Pergher shows how ordinary citizens became uncertain agents of Italianization as the regime responded to new interwar norms of sovereignty and national self-determination.

    New Studies in European History

  • Honor, politics, and the law in imperial Germany, 1871 - 1914

    4.0(3)Add rating

    "Honor in nineteenth-century Germany is usually thought of as an anachronistic aristocratic tradition confined to the duelling elites. In this innovative study Ann Goldberg shows instead how it pervaded all aspects of German life and how, during an era of rapid modernization, it was adapted and incorporated into the modern state, industrial capitalism, and mass politics. In business, state administration, politics, labor relations, gender and racial matters, Germans contested questions of honor in an explosion of defamation litigation. Dr Goldberg surveys court cases, newspaper reportage, and parliamentary debates, exploring the conflicts of daily life and the intense politicization of libel jurisprudence in an era when an authoritarian state faced off against groups and individuals from 'below' claiming new citizenship rights around a democratized notion of honor and law. Her fascinating account provides a nuanced and important new understanding of the political, legal and social history of imperial Germany"--Provided by publisher

    Honor, politics, and the law in imperial Germany, 1871 - 1914

  • West Germany, Cold War Europe and the Algerian War

    • 482 pages
    • 17 hours of reading

    Examining the clandestine and subversive activities of Algerian nationalists in West Germany and Europe, Mathilde Von Bulow sheds new light on the extent to which FLN activities and French counter-measures impacted the conflict in Algeria and the politics of the global Cold War.

    West Germany, Cold War Europe and the Algerian War

  • From Reich to state

    3.0(1)Add rating

    Napoleon's contribution to Germany's development was immense and nowhere was the transformation more profound than in the Rhineland. Based upon an extensive range of German and French archival sources, this study analyzes the Napoleonic influence in this region within a broader chronological framework encompassing the Old Regime and Restoration. It analyzes not only politics, but also culture, identity, religion, society, institutions and economics in its examination of Napoleon's impact on Germany.

    From Reich to state

  • New Studies in European History

    Debates around the 'woman question' originated in France in the late Middle Ages, and Karen Offen here offers a panoramic account of changing ideas of who women were and should be, and what they should be restrained from doing, from the fifteenth to the late nineteenth century.

    New Studies in European History

  • Madness, Religion and the State in Early Modern Europe

    • 384 pages
    • 14 hours of reading

    Set against the backdrop of the Reformation, this regional study delves into the practice of spiritual physic in Bavaria, highlighting its role as an early form of mental health care. It explores how clergy provided spiritual guidance during a period marked by religious conflict, economic turmoil, and witch hunts. By examining this largely overlooked ritual, the book offers insights into the intersections of medicine, psychology, and religious practices of the time, making it essential for those interested in the Counter Reformation and witchcraft history.

    Madness, Religion and the State in Early Modern Europe

  • Obracení Čech na víru aneb rekatolizace po dobrém a po zlém

    4.0(5)Add rating

    V sedmnáctém století zažila česká země dramatický obrat v náboženské orientaci, když se po třicetileté válce většina obyvatelstva přiklonila k katolické víře. Katolická církev zavedla rozsáhlý rekatolizační program, který zásadně proměnil náboženskou identitu celého království. Jakými prostředky církev dosáhla tohoto přechodu? Jak se katolictví vrátilo do Čech? Historik Howard Louthan ve své studii přináší nový pohled na pobělohorskou rekatolizaci, který se odklání od tradičního zaměření na násilí a donucování. Louthan ukazuje, že klíčovou roli hrálo nenásilné kulturní „obracení“. Umělci a architekti proměnili krajinu barokními kostely, kaplemi a mariánskými sloupy, zatímco nová katolická literatura a hudba oživily kult svatých. Náboženský pluralismus byl potlačen a nahrazen uniformnějšími praktikami. Louthanova studie zkoumá různé aspekty, které formovaly katolickou identitu, a zasazuje české země do širšího evropského kontextu raného novověku. Kniha osloví odborníky i zájemce o české dějiny, přičemž Louthanova znalost češtiny mu umožňuje uniknout zažitým stereotypům a přinést nový pohled na českou historiografii.

    Obracení Čech na víru aneb rekatolizace po dobrém a po zlém

  • Making Prussians, Raising Germans

    • 386 pages
    • 14 hours of reading

    Reframing the German War of 1866 as a civil war, Making Prussians, Raising Germans offers a new understanding of critical aspects of Prussian state- building and German nation-building in the nineteenth century and investigates the long-term ramifications of civil war in emerging nations.

    Making Prussians, Raising Germans

  • Red Globalization

    • 294 pages
    • 11 hours of reading
    3.9(23)Add rating

    This analysis reinterprets the Cold War, emphasizing its nature as an economic conflict influenced by global economic dynamics. It explores how economic factors, rather than purely ideological ones, played a pivotal role in shaping the tensions and interactions between superpowers during this critical period in history. The book offers fresh insights into the strategies and consequences of economic policies that defined the era, providing a nuanced understanding of the Cold War's legacy in contemporary global relations.

    Red Globalization

  • The World Hitler Never Made

    Alternate History and the Memory of Nazism

    • 538 pages
    • 19 hours of reading

    This 2005 study explores the representation of alternate histories of Nazism in Western popular culture, examining how these narratives shape perceptions of history and influence cultural discourse. The book delves into various media, analyzing how fictional portrayals challenge or reinforce societal views on totalitarianism, morality, and the consequences of historical events. Through this lens, it highlights the complexities and implications of reimagining pivotal moments in history, offering a critical perspective on the interplay between history and imagination.

    The World Hitler Never Made

  • Nobles and nation in Central Europe

    No group better embodied the traditional noble ideal in the late Holy Roman Empire than the pedigreed knights, Protestant and Catholic, of Electoral Mainz. This study traces the transnational "geocultural" landscape in which they thrived and its transformation by social, political and national revolution. It explores the comparative history of the knights who became divided between those who emigrated to the Habsburg Empire (where their geocultural landscape survived) and those who remained in Germany and forged a new identity as nobles in the cultural world of the "nation".

    Nobles and nation in Central Europe

  • From Reich to State

    The Rhineland in the Revolutionary Age, 1780-1830

    • 348 pages
    • 13 hours of reading
    3.4(3)Add rating

    Focusing on the profound transformations in the Rhineland during Napoleon's rule, this book explores the dissolution of the Holy Roman Empire and the establishment of a new order. It utilizes extensive archival research to examine the political, cultural, and social changes of the era, including the legacy of the Old Regime, the conflict between Revolution and Counter-Revolution, and the integration of the region into the French Empire. The analysis extends to the transition to Prussian governance and the subsequent struggles that shaped Germany's unique path in history.

    From Reich to State

  • People and Politics in France, 1848 1870

    • 496 pages
    • 18 hours of reading
    5.0(1)Add rating

    The book examines the counter-revolutionary policies implemented by Louis-Napoleon Bonaparte's regime following the upheaval of 1848 in France. It delves into the political strategies and actions taken by Bonaparte to consolidate power and suppress revolutionary movements, highlighting the broader implications for French society and governance during this tumultuous period. Through detailed analysis, it provides insights into the challenges faced by the regime and the impact of its policies on the trajectory of French history.

    People and Politics in France, 1848 1870

  • A People's Music

    4.0(1)Add rating

    This first full history of jazz over the lifespan of East Germany, from 1945 to 1990, draws on previously unexamined sources and vivid eyewitness accounts to reveal the experiences of jazz musicians and fans, and the surprising ways state policies sought to manage and control jazz during the cultural Cold War.

    A People's Music

  • Socialism across the Iron Curtain

    • 334 pages
    • 12 hours of reading

    The book features a detailed table of contents that outlines its structure and organization, providing readers with a clear roadmap of the topics covered. Each section is thoughtfully arranged to guide the reader through the material, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of the subject matter. The contents reflect a well-researched and methodical approach, making it an invaluable resource for those seeking in-depth knowledge.

    Socialism across the Iron Curtain

  • The Emotional Politics of the Alternative Left

    4.0(1)Add rating

    This fresh account of new-leftist politics in West Germany after 1968 emphasises how central feelings were, both for leftist critiques of modern capitalism and for their political practices. Joachim C. Haberlen's book is based on close archival research and theoretically informed by recent approaches to the history of emotions.

    The Emotional Politics of the Alternative Left

  • Paris and the Spirit of 1919

    • 356 pages
    • 13 hours of reading

    Set in the aftermath of World War I, the narrative delves into the political landscape of Paris in 1919, highlighting the city's role in shaping global political movements. It examines the fervent activism of the French populace and its far-reaching consequences, providing insight into how local actions influenced international relations and ideologies during a pivotal moment in history.

    Paris and the Spirit of 1919

  • Family and Community in Early Modern Spain

    • 330 pages
    • 12 hours of reading

    Focusing on the ruling class of Granada during the early modern period, the study delves into how a new elite consolidated power through the pursuit of honour and participation in politics. It highlights the importance of personal relationships among family, clients, and patrons in maintaining social stability amidst the upheaval of religious and political change, including the rise of absolutism and the Counter Reformation. This work offers valuable insights into the dynamics of early modern family structures and is crucial for historians studying early modern Spain and Europe.

    Family and Community in Early Modern Spain

  • People and Politics in France, 1848-1870

    • 490 pages
    • 18 hours of reading

    The book delves into the counter-revolutionary strategies implemented by Louis-Napoleon Bonaparte's government in France following the events of 1848. It examines the political, social, and economic measures taken to consolidate power and suppress dissent, highlighting the regime's impact on French society and its legacy in shaping modern France. Through detailed analysis, the author explores the complexities of Bonaparte's rule and the broader implications of his policies during a tumultuous period in history.

    People and Politics in France, 1848-1870

  • Rosyjskie źródła nazizmu

    3.0(4)Add rating

    Narodowy socjalizm jest powszechnie uważany za rdzennie niemieckie zjawisko. Tymczasem wybitny historyk Michael Kellogg, wykorzystując bogate materiały archiwalne z Niemiec i Rosji, w tym także niedawno odtajnione dokumenty, stawia sensacyjną tezę, że ideologiczne fundamenty partii nazistowskiej były stworzone przez niemieckich nacjonalist�w w ścisłej wsp�łpracy z żądnymi zemsty na bolszewikach rosyjskimi emigrantami, skupionymi w konspiracyjnej organizacji Aufbau.Autor tropi spiski, kt�re miały obalić znienawidzone rządy republiki weimarskiej i odebrać władzę w Rosji z rąk bolszewik�w. Udowadnia, że głoszone przez Aufbau tezy o zagrożeniu ?żydowskim bolszewizmem? na trwałe połączyły się z demagogią Hitlera i w konsekwencji doprowadziły do przeprowadzenia ataku na Związek Sowiecki i rozpoczęcia masowej eksterminacji europejskich Żyd�w.

    Rosyjskie źródła nazizmu

  • Madness, Religion and the State in Early Modern Europe

    A Bavarian Beacon

    • 384 pages
    • 14 hours of reading
    4.0(3)Add rating

    Exploring the evolution of psychological thought, this study delves into the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, a pivotal period preceding the establishment of professional psychiatry. It examines the philosophical and cultural influences that shaped early understandings of the mind and behavior, highlighting key figures and their contributions to the field. By analyzing historical contexts and ideas, the book reveals how early concepts of psychology laid the groundwork for modern mental health practices.

    Madness, Religion and the State in Early Modern Europe

  • Converting Bohemia

    Force and Persuasion in the Catholic Reformation

    • 368 pages
    • 13 hours of reading
    4.2(5)Add rating

    The book explores the dynamics of the Counter-Reformation and its impact on early modern Catholicism, highlighting key events, figures, and theological shifts. It delves into the responses of the Catholic Church to Protestant challenges and examines how these developments shaped religious practices and beliefs during this transformative period in history. Through detailed analysis, it provides insight into the complexities of faith and institutional change in early modern Europe.

    Converting Bohemia

  • The Cossack Myth

    • 404 pages
    • 15 hours of reading
    4.3(41)Add rating

    Serhii Plokhy tells the fascinating story of The History of the Rus', one of the most influential historical texts of the modern era. In so doing he brilliantly illuminates the relationship between history, myth, empire and nationhood from Napoleonic times to the fall of the Soviet Union.

    The Cossack Myth

  • Germans to Poles

    This book examines the ways Poland dealt with the territories and peoples it gained from Germany after the Second World War.

    Germans to Poles

  • Peter the Great

    4.5(8)Add rating

    Now in a new edition, this penetrating study by noted Yale historian Paul Bushkovitch casts new light on the profound impact of Peter the Great, one of the most revered and enigmatic leaders in world history, whose influence ultimately paved the way for liberalism, Western-style nationalism, and communism in Russia.

    Peter the Great