The Civilizing Process is a comprehensive work that explores the social and cultural shifts in European society from the medieval period to the 19th century. Elias argues that civilization is a dynamic process linked to changes in power relations, economic structures, and state institutions. The book examines the transformation of manners, etiquette, and self-restraint, and how these changes led to the emergence of the modern state and the internalization of societal norms. It is divided into two main volumes: 'The History of Manners' and 'State Formation and Civilization'[3][4][5]
The book delves into how the Thirty Years War accelerated and initiated transformations in four military institutions that defined land warfare during the early modern period. It explores the Military Revolution theory, originally proposed by Michael Roberts, which suggests that changes in military technology and tactics between 1560 and 1660 led to a revolutionary transformation in how early modern states organized themselves for war. The book also discusses the roles of key figures such as Maurice of Nassau and Gustaf Adolf of Sweden, and the economic and social implications of these military innovations on state formation.
This book reconstructs the lives of seventeenth-century common soldiers in detail, using the transnational story of the Mansfeld Regiment to examine how ordinary soldiers, military women, and officers negotiated their lives within the chaos and uncertainty of the seventeenth century. It sheds light on the intricate social world of mercenaries, their relationships, and the impact of the military revolution and the fiscal-military state. The study is supported by statistical analysis from hundreds of records from the Thirty Years War, offering a human story of comradeship, hardship, and struggle during a period of significant conflict and social upheaval.
This book provides a detailed and authoritative account of the Thirty Years War, a devastating conflict that transformed seventeenth-century Europe. Wilson argues that the war was not primarily a religious conflict but rather a complex interplay of political, social, economic, and dynastic forces. The narrative includes key events such as the Bohemian Revolt, the sack of Magdeburg, the Dutch revolt, and the interventions of notable figures like Gustavus Adolphus and Cardinal Richelieu. By the war's end, Europe had been reshaped, with the emergence of sovereign states and a secular order, but at a tremendous cost, including widespread destruction and long-term internal division in Germany.
In 'Motivation in War', Ilya Berkovich delves into the experiences and motivations of ordinary soldiers in Old-Regime Europe. The book revises our understanding of military morale and combat performance by examining the social, cultural, and psychological factors that influenced soldiers' behavior on the battlefield. Berkovich's research provides a nuanced view of the historical context and the complexities of soldier motivation.
This book by David Parrott provides a comprehensive examination of the French army during the reign of Cardinal Richelieu. It explores the military, governmental, and societal dynamics of France from 1624 to 1642, highlighting the significant impact of the army on the country's politics and society during this period.
Published in 1949, '1984' is a cautionary tale by George Orwell that explores the dangers of totalitarianism. The novel is set in a dystopian future where the world is divided into three super-states, with the protagonist Winston Smith living in Oceania, ruled by the mysterious and omnipotent leader Big Brother. Winston works at the Ministry of Truth, where he rewrites historical records to conform to the Party's ever-changing narrative. He begins an illicit love affair with Julia and starts to rebel against the Party, but they are eventually caught and subjected to brutal torture and indoctrination. The novel highlights themes of government surveillance, manipulation of language and history, and the suppression of individual freedom and independent thought.
What was it like to be a soldier during the Thirty Years War? I spoke with Dr. Lucian Staiano-Daniels, author of the upcoming book The War People: A Social History of Common Soldiers during the Era of the Thirty Years War, about what we can know of the thousands of men who fought during that extraordinarily violent and confusing period.
Patrick's book is now available! Get The Verge: Reformation, Renaissance, and Forty Years that Shook the World in hardcopy, ebook, or audiobook (read by Patrick) here: https://bit.ly/PWverge. And check out Patrick's new podcast The Pursuit of Dadliness! It’s all about “Dad Culture,” and Patrick will interview some fascinating guests about everything from tall wooden ships to smoked meats to comfortable sneakers to history, sports, culture, and politics. https://bit.ly/PWtPoD
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