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Fontana History of Europe
Europe of the Ancien Régime 1715 - 1783
No age in European history presents a more striking range of contrasts than that which precedes the French Revolution. Often described as the Age of Reason, in recognition of such men as Kant, Hume, Diderot and Voltaire, it was also, as Mr. Ogg points out, an age of sentiment and irrational conservatism. In war and politics it witnessed the rise of the British Empire and the birth of the USA, the career of Frederick the Great and the beginnings of modern power politics. Yet the years from 1715-1740 are here summarized as "a period of diplomatic futility and inconclusiveness probably unmatched in European history." And in trade and agriculture, in law and public administration, the co-existence of the archaic and the barbarous with the civilized and scientific is equally conspicuous.
This book is a lucid and stimulating account of the old Europe and the countries that composed it. The reader will find in it much out-of-the-way information and an interpretation at once sensitive and personal, giving life and color to a period too often buried under a mass of detail....
"Mr. Ogg succeeds admirably in telling us much more about, and interesting us much more in, the 18th century than omnibus volumes usually do. Just what is wanted to provoke the reader to redefine 18th-century civilisation... and to wonder again about old definitions like 'age of reason' and 'age of absolutism'." --The New Statesman
"...Professor Ogg has somehow managed to produce a book that is as amusing as it is informative. An excellent book, sound in learning, witty in expression and reflecting so agreeable and civilised a personality." --Books & Bookmen
"An excellent introduction to 18th century Europe... a most readable book. All the facual bones are there, with a flesh of reflective wisdom." --The Times (London) Literary Supplement
This book is a lucid and stimulating account of the old Europe and the countries that composed it. The reader will find in it much out-of-the-way information and an interpretation at once sensitive and personal, giving life and color to a period too often buried under a mass of detail....
"Mr. Ogg succeeds admirably in telling us much more about, and interesting us much more in, the 18th century than omnibus volumes usually do. Just what is wanted to provoke the reader to redefine 18th-century civilisation... and to wonder again about old definitions like 'age of reason' and 'age of absolutism'." --The New Statesman
"...Professor Ogg has somehow managed to produce a book that is as amusing as it is informative. An excellent book, sound in learning, witty in expression and reflecting so agreeable and civilised a personality." --Books & Bookmen
"An excellent introduction to 18th century Europe... a most readable book. All the facual bones are there, with a flesh of reflective wisdom." --The Times (London) Literary Supplement
- GenresHistory
384 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1965
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May 25, 2019
“For us, the eighteenth century is far enough away to be distinctive and self-contained, but not too distant for easy comprehension. Of no other period can such statements be made”. This, the final sentence in Europe of the Ancien Régime: 1715 - 1783 is a shrewd and accurate observation.
I have long been intrigued by 18th century Europe, and I think this quote certainly explains part of my interest. There is the draw of learning about old history—about people and cultures that are different from my own. And yet, as the author astutely remarks, the legacies of the 18th century are quite evident even today. As an avid listener to classical music, I hear the music of 18th century composers regularly. More interestingly, my engineering classes are filled with the names of 18th century mathematicians and natural philosophers—names such as Euler, Bernoulli, and Lagrange. These are just a few minor examples of the legacy of the Ancien Régime.
Moving onto my thoughts on the book itself, I believe Europe of the Ancien Régime: 1715 - 1783 is a readable and informative summary of 18th century Europe. At just under 400 pages, there clearly is not much space for anything other than the bare bones. But the information that was there was clearly presented and interesting. At times, the book felt a little unfocused, as the topics tended to jump around, but I suppose that is natural considering the scope of the book.
Here I will summarize the books’ chapters. Ogg begins by making some general observations on the period and the states of Europe. He then covers economy, global trade, and colonies before summarizing agriculture and industry. The next few chapters deal with international diplomacy and the main wars of the century. In the second part of the book, Ogg analyzes the main regions in detail. Then, he finishes with chapters covering science and culture, and the Enlightenment.
I was most interested in the chapters on the wars and politics of the period, because that is where much of my interest lies. However, I quite enjoyed the rest of the book, particularly those chapters on culture and the surveys of the different regions.
I thought the book was well written, and it seems to be well researched, though the author does not include many notes. In general, I thought his analyses and conclusions were sensible, though I disagreed with him on several points. Overall, I must give this book a thumbs up. It filled in many gaps in my knowledge and provided me with much food for thought. As a general survey of Europe in the 18th century, I think it serves excellently.
I will end this review with an important distinction the author makes in his conclusion. It is too easy to lose sight of what life was like in the Ancien Régime for most people,
“It was an age when wealth and leisure enabled a small minority to achieve a level in the amenities of life unequalled before or since, a high standard of civilization which stimulated the architect, the sculptor, the painter and the musician to creative work which conformed, not to the opinion of the many, but to the taste of an educated few…The superfluous establishes the distinction between civilization and mere subsistence; the eighteenth century was an age of well-directed superfluity. It was sharply contrasted with the misery which afflicted so many of the poor. But the poor we have always with us and, unlike the rich, they leave few memorials” (350).
I have long been intrigued by 18th century Europe, and I think this quote certainly explains part of my interest. There is the draw of learning about old history—about people and cultures that are different from my own. And yet, as the author astutely remarks, the legacies of the 18th century are quite evident even today. As an avid listener to classical music, I hear the music of 18th century composers regularly. More interestingly, my engineering classes are filled with the names of 18th century mathematicians and natural philosophers—names such as Euler, Bernoulli, and Lagrange. These are just a few minor examples of the legacy of the Ancien Régime.
Moving onto my thoughts on the book itself, I believe Europe of the Ancien Régime: 1715 - 1783 is a readable and informative summary of 18th century Europe. At just under 400 pages, there clearly is not much space for anything other than the bare bones. But the information that was there was clearly presented and interesting. At times, the book felt a little unfocused, as the topics tended to jump around, but I suppose that is natural considering the scope of the book.
Here I will summarize the books’ chapters. Ogg begins by making some general observations on the period and the states of Europe. He then covers economy, global trade, and colonies before summarizing agriculture and industry. The next few chapters deal with international diplomacy and the main wars of the century. In the second part of the book, Ogg analyzes the main regions in detail. Then, he finishes with chapters covering science and culture, and the Enlightenment.
I was most interested in the chapters on the wars and politics of the period, because that is where much of my interest lies. However, I quite enjoyed the rest of the book, particularly those chapters on culture and the surveys of the different regions.
I thought the book was well written, and it seems to be well researched, though the author does not include many notes. In general, I thought his analyses and conclusions were sensible, though I disagreed with him on several points. Overall, I must give this book a thumbs up. It filled in many gaps in my knowledge and provided me with much food for thought. As a general survey of Europe in the 18th century, I think it serves excellently.
I will end this review with an important distinction the author makes in his conclusion. It is too easy to lose sight of what life was like in the Ancien Régime for most people,
“It was an age when wealth and leisure enabled a small minority to achieve a level in the amenities of life unequalled before or since, a high standard of civilization which stimulated the architect, the sculptor, the painter and the musician to creative work which conformed, not to the opinion of the many, but to the taste of an educated few…The superfluous establishes the distinction between civilization and mere subsistence; the eighteenth century was an age of well-directed superfluity. It was sharply contrasted with the misery which afflicted so many of the poor. But the poor we have always with us and, unlike the rich, they leave few memorials” (350).
Displaying 1 of 1 review