A Concise History of Modern Europe

Highlighting the most important events, ideas, and individuals that shaped modern Europe, this text provides a concise history of the continent from the Enlightenment to the present day focusing on the causes and consequences of revolution, the origins and development of human rights and democracy, and issues of European identity and integration.

Highlighting the key events, ideas, and individuals that have shaped modern Europe, this fresh and lively book provides a concise history of the continent from the Enlightenment to the present. Drawing on the enduring theme of revolution, David S. Mason explores the political, economic, and scientific causes and consequences of revolution; the development of human rights and democracy; and issues of European identity and integration. He deliberately avoids a detailed chronology of every country and time period, instead emphasizing the most crucial events in shaping contemporary Europe. Fourteen focused chapters address such topical issues as the Enlightenment; the French Revolution and Napoleon; the Industrial Revolution; the theories and impact of Marx and Darwin; the revolutions of 1848, 1917, and 1989; the unifications of Germany and Italy; European imperialism; the two world wars; the Cold War; the evolution and expansion of the European Union; and current issues confronting Europe. Any reader who wants to view the broad sweep of European history will find this book an engaging narrative, supplemented with maps, timelines, sidebars, photos, and a glossary.

“Concise yet still comprehensive, this book not only sketches the broader contours of modern European history since the French Revolution but also provides students with much-needed context. Clearly and superbly written with judiciously chosen sources that lend themselves to the analysis of major events and ideas, this book is the perfect basic text for upper-division courses on modern Europe.”

In this comprehensive and engaging book, Mason captures the major changes, revolutions, politics, and ideologies that shaped European societies. These developments include wars and political revolutions--such as those in 1789, 1917, and 1989--and economic, intellectual, and scientific revolutions. This narrative, therefore, touches on many interdisciplinary aspects of history: cultural, social, intellectual, political, and economic. These changes moved Europe by and large toward progress, integration, liberty, equality, and solidarity. Although the book broadly covers major European events, it is concise and rich in context. It is fascinating and clearly written to help readers learn the twisting and complex paths Europe has taken from the Enlightenment to the European Union and the evolution of the ideas of democracy, progress, and human rights from the era of absolute monarchy and divine right to a Europe united, democratic, and free. In tracing these developments, the book's major contribution is its focus on major themes and ideas, showing how they have affected the European continent since the French Revolution. Recommended. Undergraduates through faculty and general readers.

Mason's book is a gem: a succinct, comprehensive, and engaging introduction to modern European history.

This book captures the intertwined developments of regime change, ideological strands, historical events, and popular desires of Europe and presents them in a succinct and comprehensive manner. It serves as an indispensable compass through Europe's complex modern history and politics. A must-read for everyone fascinated with the 'old' continent--a source of tradition and progress, peace and war, monarchs, nations, and integration. An excellent starting point for the exploration of 'the soul' of Europe.

David S. Mason is professor emeritus at Butler University.

Highlighting the key events, ideas, and individuals that have shaped modern Europe, this fresh and lively book provides a concise history of the continent from the Enlightenment to the present. Drawing on the enduring theme of revolution, David S. Mason explores the political, economic, and scientific causes and consequences of revolution; the development of human rights and democracy; and issues of European identity and integration. He deliberately avoids a detailed chronology of every country and time period, instead emphasizing the most crucial events in shaping contemporary Europe. Fourteen focused chapters address such topical issues as the Enlightenment; the French Revolution and Napoleon; the Industrial Revolution; the theories and impact of Marx and Darwin; the revolutions of 1848, 1917, and 1989; the unifications of Germany and Italy; European imperialism; the two world wars; the Cold War; the evolution and expansion of the European Union; and current issues confronting Europe. Any reader who wants to view the broad sweep of European history will find this book an engaging narrative, supplemented with maps, timelines, sidebars, photos, and a glossary.

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