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The Foundations of Early Modern Europe, 1460-1559 (The Norton History of Modern Europe) Paperback – February 17, 1994
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Was the shift from old to new in this period a transition from medieval to modern?
Professor Rice, assisted in this edition by Professor Tony Grafton continues to argue, as in the first edition, that this century represents a shift from medieval to "early" modern.- Print length218 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- PublisherW. W. Norton & Company
- Publication dateFebruary 17, 1994
- Dimensions5.5 x 0.7 x 8.2 inches
- ISBN-100393963047
- ISBN-13978-0393963045
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About the Author
Anthony Grafton is Dodge Professor of History at Princeton University. His recent books include Defenders of the Text: The Traditions of Scholarship in an Age of Science and New Worlds, Ancient Texts: The Power of Tradition and The Shock of Discovery.
Product details
- Publisher : W. W. Norton & Company; 2nd edition (February 17, 1994)
- Language : English
- Paperback : 218 pages
- ISBN-10 : 0393963047
- ISBN-13 : 978-0393963045
- Item Weight : 11.7 ounces
- Dimensions : 5.5 x 0.7 x 8.2 inches
- Best Sellers Rank: #1,201,003 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #1,899 in History of Civilization & Culture
- #17,864 in European History (Books)
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In producing this extraordinary book, Rice and Grafton chose the more difficult path of conciseness, clarity, and integrity. In a mere 202 pages they elucidate a dynamic and culturally rich period of history.
The first chapters of their book survey in detail several trends that radically changed life in Europe. The technology of printing by movable type on rag-based paper revolutionized transmission of factual knowledge and “freed the memory”, enabling education to move its focus from memorization to thinking and judgment. The invention and rapid adoption of the gun shifted power from feudal nobles to kings with their organized infantries.
The application of logic, mathematics, and experimentation established the foundation of fully developed science, which “Only modern western civilization has produced”.
Global exploration introduced tremendous new wealth, shifted Europe’s center of gravity from the Mediterranean towards the Atlantic, and created new perspectives on the world.
Meanwhile, population exploded. Industry, trade and commerce boomed and internationalized. Early capitalism spread in several forms, including vertical organization of craft guilds, subcontracted “putting-out” systems, and enlarged farms. The wealth and power of merchants flourished, and they began to climb the social hierarchy, while workers and peasants had to adjust.
Rice and Grafton’s chapter on humanist values and practices could be the best short summary of the Renaissance ever written. Humanist historians removed their field from theology, examined texts critically, and sought wisdom from man’s experience as a guide to life. The humanists revered the classics and were inspired by their themes to see man’s moral freedom as the basis of human dignity. This spirit was passionately expressed in the sublime art of the period – and in new principles of education intended “to produce free and civilized men”.
The second half of the book explains the consolidation of sovereign states in England, France and Spain which entailed the subordination of nobility to kings. By contrast, in Germany, the Holy Roman “Emperor” failed to centralize power. There, most political authority stayed in the hands of princes, archbishops, free imperial cities, and local lords. In Italy, balance-of-power politics evolved a somewhat stable five-state system.
The final two chapters describe in detail the splintering of the Church between Catholics and reforming but often intolerant Protestants. The ensuing passions polarized Europe. Mutually hostile doctrines attached to different states and classes, sowing the seeds of the horrible religious wars of the 17th Century.
Among the book’s chain of topics, there is not one weak link. Each is explained with insight and telling detail. Well-produced with excellent maps and illustrations, Rice and Grafton’s outstanding book delivers solid understanding of the foundations of modern Europe.
The authors are clear on most topics. There are sections that are a bit convoluted though, such as their treatment on the origins of modern science; their treatment of Renaissance art; and their treatment of the sides that peasants and burghers chose in the Reformation. Overall though, they have a keen perspective and offer some interesting ideas and insights. My main takeaways are the importance of the merchant and the prince, the former to the development of the modern economy, the latter to the development of the modern state. The prince's decisive impact on religion also stands out.
A good book made better by reading it in conjunction with others that flesh out the details. Also, the Norton series on the history of modern Europe probably would have benefited from an introductory volume dealing with 1250-1460, to prepare readers for what they find here.