The Enlightenment: The Making of Europe

by Ulrich Im Hof

In this account, Ulrich Im Hof describes the origins and development of Enlightenment ideas and traces their effects on European and North American thought, politics and society. The author begins with an account of 18th-century European and American intellectual, political and social life. He describes the universities, academies, salons and reading societies from which the principal ideas of the Enlightenment emerged - in philosophy, religion, economics and politics - and he examines their diffusion, interaction and influence. Professor Im Hof concludes by examining the progress of Enlightenment thought in the 19th century, the counter-movement of Romanticism and the degree to which reason and rationality continue to hold sway at the turn of the 20th century.

Genres: History, Nonfiction

324 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1993

Reviews

[Anne Holly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Whirlwind tour of the Enlightenment, with a good emphasis on social and organizational roots. I found the discussions of clubs, fraternities, societies and academies particularly interesting. Quite detailed for the length, so it felt packed and fast. I doubt I will recall much of the speedy details, but the broad strokes are useful by themselves, and I made some notes for future reference. (Would have been a bit more useful if the index was stronger, or if there were separate subject and name indices.)

Recommended because it deals with all of Europe, more or less, and not just France, Germany and England (which many such books are prone to do). A good addition to a list of resources on the Enlightenment, but obviously not meant to be "the one book you read" on this very important subject (particularly because it deals only with Europe and only touches briefly here and there on the Americas). Some background knowledge on Enlightenment ideals would help, but I'd say most people could pick this book up and find it readable and interesting. Also recommended because it leads to many, many interesting points to research further.