{"product_id":"in-pursuit-of-civility-by-keith-thomas-9780300251524","title":"In Pursuit of Civility","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eA \u003ci\u003eSUNDAY TIMES\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003eEVENING STANDARD\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003eSPECTATOR\u003c\/i\u003e AND \u003ci\u003eNEW STATESMAN\u003c\/i\u003e BOOK OF THE YEAR\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e“In this gloriously rich book, Keith Thomas, one of our greatest living historians, explores how the idea of civility, from lavatory habits to table manners, evolved in early modern England.”—Dominic Sandbrook, \u003ci\u003eSunday Times\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e“One of the most entertaining books imaginable.”—Philip Hensher, \u003ci\u003eSpectator\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e\"Our finest living historian gives a dismayingly entertaining survey of what was held to be civilised behaviour and what barbarous in England between 1500 and 1800.”—Claire Tomalin, \u003ci\u003eNew Statesman\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eKeith Thomas's seminal studies \u003ci\u003eReligion and the Decline of Magic, Man and the Natural World\u003c\/i\u003e, and \u003ci\u003eThe Ends of Life\u003c\/i\u003e, explored the beliefs, values and social practices of the years between 1500 and 1800. \u003ci\u003eIn Pursuit of Civility\u003c\/i\u003e continues this quest by examining what the English people thought it meant to be 'civilized' and how that condition differed from being 'barbarous' or 'savage'.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThomas shows how the upper ranks of society sought to distinguish themselves from their social inferiors by developing distinctive forms of moving, speaking and comporting themselves - and how the common people in turn developed their own forms of civility. The belief of the English in their superior civility shaped their relations with the Welsh, the Scots and the Irish. By legitimizing international trade, colonialism, slavery, and racial discrimination, it was fundamental to their dealings with the native peoples of North America, India, and Australia.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eYet not everyone shared this belief in the superiority of Western civilization. \u003ci\u003eIn Pursuit of Civility\u003c\/i\u003e throws light on the early origins of anti-colonialism and cultural relativism, and goes on to examine some of the ways in which the new forms of civility were resisted.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWith all the author’s distinctive authority and brilliance - based as ever on wide reading, abounding in fresh insights, and illustrated by many striking quotations and anecdotes from contemporary sources - \u003ci\u003eIn Pursuit of Civility\u003c\/i\u003e transforms our understanding of the past. In so doing, it raises important questions as to the role of manners in the modern world.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Unknown","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47463257309420,"sku":"9780300251524","price":32.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/9780300251524-in-pursuit-of-civility.jpg?v=1775030521","url":"https:\/\/bookhero.co.nz\/products\/in-pursuit-of-civility-by-keith-thomas-9780300251524","provider":"Book Hero","version":"1.0","type":"link"}