The Age of Oligarchy

The Age of Oligarchy, part of the "Foundations of Modern Britain" series, presents a history of Britain from the point at which she first became a recognisable entity down to modern times. It traces the earlier foundations of the British state in the development of England from the late 14th to the early 18th century.

This general history of mid-Georgian Britain explores all aspects of domestic and foreign affairs on the threshold of the Industrial Revolution. It shows how the newly-united and politically-stable nation exploited its expanding wealth, its hard-won social cohesion at home, and its increasing influence abroad. The book traces Britain's rise to imperial greatness and examines the repercussions of the spectacular disaster—the loss of the American colonies— with which the book closes.

The Age of Oligarchy deals with social, economic, religious, cultural, and intellectual history, as well as politics. It is the independent and self-sufficient sequel to Geoffrey Holmes's The Making of a Great Power: Later Stuart and Early Georgian Britain 1660-1772 (published simultaneously). Together, they fill the last remaining gap in this key series.

The eighteenth century has become one of the most active areas of current historical research, and this book takes into account the findings of the new revisionist historiography while retaining what still seems valid from the old. It features a student-friendly presentation with a good reference apparatus, covering every aspect of the period in 22 essay-focused chapters. Additionally, it contains full chronological "frameworks of events", a compendium of factual information at the end, and extensive bibliographies.

This comprehensive work is ideal for fellow academics, as well as students and general readers.