In this fascinating new account of Old Regime Europe, T. C. W. Blanning explores the cultural revolution which transformed eighteenth-century Europe. During this period the court culture exemplified by Louis XIV's Versailles was pushed from the centre to the margins by the emergence of a new kind of space - the public sphere. The author shows how many of the world's most important cultural institutions developed in this space: the periodical, the newspaper, the novel, the lending library, the coffee house, the voluntary association, the journalist, and the critic. It was here that public opinion staked its claim to be the ultimate arbiter of culture and politics. For the established order this new force was to prove both a challenge and an opportunity and the author's comparative study of power and culture shows how regimes sought to keep their balance as the ground moved beneath their feet. In the process he explains, among other things, why Britain won the 'Second Hundred Years War' against France, how Prussia rose to become the dominant power in German-speaking Europe, and why the French monarchy collapsed.

Voted best book of 2002 on early modern history (1500-1800) by 'Humanities. Sozial- und Kulturgeschichte'
Reviews
This is an excellent cultural history. Tim Blanning's book explores the architectural, literary, artistic and musical features of old regime Europe and elegantly sets them within the wider landscape of domestic politics, international rivalry and the challenges and opportunities posed to rulers and states by the rise of public opinion ... impressive in scope, beautifully written and full of the jibes and wry asides which make the relentlessly growing body of work by this author so enjoyable to read ... * Mike Rapport, French Studies *


Awards
Winner of Shortlisted for the 2003 British Academy Book Prize and voted best book of 2002 on early modern history (1500-1800) by 'Humanities. Sozial- und Kulturgeschichte'.



Book Information
ISBN 9780199265619
Author T. C. W. Blanning
Format Paperback
Page Count 496
Imprint Oxford University Press
Publisher Oxford University Press
Weight(grams) 1g
Dimensions(mm) 233mm * 157mm * 26mm