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The Pursuit of Power

Europe, 1815-1914
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( 1,975 ratings, 251 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
The Pursuit of Power by Richard J. Evans offers a sweeping examination of Europe's transformation between 1815 and 1914. It explores the political power struggles, technological advancements, and social changes that shaped the continent during this dynamic century, providing insights into the forces that propelled Europe into the modern era. Through rich narratives and analysis, the book delves into how these developments influenced European societies and their global interactions.
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might enjoy this book if you're fascinated by the sweeping transformations in Europe from 1815 to 1914. It explores the dramatic changes in society, politics, and technology during this period, offering in-depth insights into how power and influence were contested and reshaped across the continent. Perfect for those interested in understanding the complexities of history and the forces that shaped modern Europe.

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Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

A masterpiece of historical writing which brings to life an extraordinarily turbulent and dramatic era of revolutionary change.

The Pursuit of Power draws on a lifetime of thinking about nineteenth-century Europe to create an extraordinarily rich, surprising and entertaining panorama of a continent undergoing drastic change. The aim of the book is to reignite the sense of wonder that permeated this remarkable era, as rulers and ruled navigated overwhelming cultural, political and technological changes. It was a time where what was seen as modern with amazing speed appeared old-fashioned, where huge cities sprang up in a generation, new European countries were created and where, for the first time, humans could communicate almost instantly over thousands of miles.

Richard Evans gives full coverage to the revolutions, empire-building, and wars that marked the nineteenth century, but the book is about so much more, whether it is illness, serfdom, religion, or philosophy. The Pursuit of Power is a book by a historian at the height of his powers and an essential book for anyone trying to understand Europe, then or now.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Richard J. Evans's The Pursuit of Power receives high praise for its clarity and engaging portrayal of a complex century, with Gerard Degroot describing it as an exemplary piece of transnational history. David Bell appreciates the book's traditional framework, enhanced by Evans's scholarly depth. Dominic Sandbrook commends Evans for his skilful handling of a vast array of material, crafting a sweeping narrative with a convincing central theme. Richard Overy highlights the book's intricate blending of political, social, economic, cultural, and intellectual history, marking it as a significant tour de force and an excellent introduction to European history.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780141981147

Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 01 June 2017

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Penguin Books Ltd

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 39.0mm

Width: 130.0mm

Height: 199.0mm

Weight: 608g

Pages: 848

About the Author

Richard J. Evans is one of the world's leading historians of modern Germany. He was born in London in 1947. From 2008 to 2014 he was Regius Professor of History at Cambridge University, and from 2010 to 2017 President of Wolfson College, Cambridge. He served as Provost of Gresham College in the City of London from 2014 to 2020. In 1994 he was awarded the Hamburg Medal for Art and Science for cultural services to the city, and in 2015 received the British Academy Leverhulme Medal, awarded every three years for a significant contribution to the Humanities or Social Sciences. In 2000 he was the principal expert witness in the David Irving Holocaust Denial libel trial at the High Court in London, subsequently the subject of the film Denial. His books include Death in Hamburg (winner of the Wolfson History Prize), In Defence of History, The Coming of the Third Reich, The Third Reich in Power, and The Third Reich at War. His book The Pursuit of Power- Europe 1815-1914, volume 7 of the Penguin History of Europe, was published in 2016. His most recent books are Eric Hobsbawm- A Life in History (2019) and The Hitler Conspiracies- The Third Reich and the Paranoid Imagination (2020). In 2012 he was knighted for services to scholarship.

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