An interesting co-read with. It was like the scales fell from my eyes. He has also written for leading newspapers and magazines in Britain, the US and Europe. Categories: Get FREE shipping on The Birth of the Modern World, 1780 - 1914 by C. A. Bayly, from wordery.com. In many ways this is a daunting book - ambitious in its vision and complex. England is the focus, but he reaches out across Europe, the United States, Russia, and the Far East to bolster his thesis. Despite his conservatism and strained attempts to attack the contemporary Left by association to discreditable persons and movements in the early nineteenth century, Johnson is an excellent writer and this is an entertaining, sometimes enlightening, cultural history of the period. This history of the world during the period from defeat of Napoleon in 1815 to end of the Bourbon dynasty in 1830 is amazing in depth and breadth. Bayly s ground-breaking The Birth of the Modern World, 1780-1914, this wide-ranging and sophisticated study explores global history since the First World War, offering a coherent, comparative overview of developments in politics, economics, and society at large. What a fascinating and frustrating book! I'm kind of embarrassed it took me so long, but this book changed the way I think of history - in a good way, I mean. With this similarity in mind, C.A. I put this down about two-thirds of the way through. HISTORY, by Having grown up on Manhattan's Upper West Side from kindergarten to college I was exposed almost exclusively to a left-wing narrative of history. See my review in my Sense-of-History-account: Epic, magisterial, even overwhelming. & ), a past editor of the New Statesman and the Spectator, is a master of vigorous narratives on epic topics. (Just for the record, I hated Modern Times and the author likes to get spanked by prostitutes...) Beyond that, Johnson paints a picture of history which I've yet to see done. It's absolutely encyclopedic in scope and depth while still achieving the narrative profluence of all greatly written history. Elie Wiesel, by Magazine Subscribers (How to Find Your Reader Number). ... Permalink; The Birth of the Modern World Six 'killer apps' made the West a source of economic dynamism and political stability. Instead of negating the one-sided histories he detests, Zinn has merely reversed the image; the distortion remains. But for that very reason I found invaluable a slant on history that was new to me. Karl Marx and the Birth of Modern Society: The Life of Marx and the Development of His Work (Volume I: 1818-1841) $ 19.99 – $ 34.00 Format Clear eBook ( $ 19.99 ) It’s free and takes less than 10 seconds! I have brought them to the fore but I have a. I have been an admirer of Paul Johnson since reading A History of the American People, and always buy his books as I come across them in book sales. 2.0 out of 5 stars A difficult birth Reviewed in the United States on June 30, 2015 Global history has become hugely fashionable in the last decade or so, and alongside Pomeranz’s Great Divergence, Bayly’s The Birth of the Modern World is one of its leading titles. The Birth of the Modern is a very unique history book. Astoundingly, he writes with fascination about events and movements in virtually all fields of human endeavor, whether the subjugation of Native Americans by Andrew Jackson, the scientific discoveries of Humphrey Davy, the compositions of Beethoven, the transparent innovations of George Stephenson and John McAdam, or such social phenomena as dueling, adultery, illegitimacy, and animal protectionism. translated by Just a moment while we sign you in to your Goodreads account. The depth and breadth of his scholarship is simply astonishing. Ray Suarez, by Zinn has no doubts about where he stands in this "people's history": "it is a history disrespectful of governments and respectful of people's movements of resistance." It is a 'thematic history' demonstrating how 'historical trends and sequences of events, which have been treated separately in regional or national histories, can be brought together' (p. 1). I have brought them to the fore but I have also sought to paint in background, showing how ordinary men and women-—and children—lived, suffered and died, ate and drank, worked, played and traveled." Goes into a wide range of detail from politics, industrial development & science, arts, music etc. But overall, I liked it a lot and am a better person for reading it. .” The chapter opens with a big coal-mine explosion in 1812 that killed 92 men and boys, shocking most of Britain … Well worth reading. Very erudite work, almost encyclopedic. Not always well structured; often digressions and elaborations. Peer review was introduced to scholarly publication in 1731 by the Royal Society of Edinburgh, which published a collection of peer-reviewed medical articles. It was a time of creativity unparalleled in history before or since, from science to the arts, from philosophy to politics. So what we get here, instead of the usual survey of wars, presidents, and institutions, is a survey of the usual rebellions, strikes, and protest movements. GENERAL CURRENT EVENTS & SOCIAL ISSUES | Goodreads helps you keep track of books you want to read. Buy The Birth of the Modern: World Society 18151830 Unabridged by Johnson, Paul (ISBN: 9781455158126) from Amazon's Book Store. Covering the period 17801914, The Birth of the Modern World shows how events in Asia, Africa, and South America from the decline of the eighteenth-century Islamic empires to the anti-European Boxer rebellion of 1900 in China had a direct impact on European and American history. In this wide-reaching history of impressive geographical and theoretical scope, Bayly synthesizes the latest research on such topics as the causes of the industrial revolution and the ris POLITICS | The southern apologists were still, in their hearts, ashamed of slavery. Strong English focus: almost all the examples come from England, for example there is almost nothing on Goethe or Heine. RELEASE DATE: Jan. 16, 2006. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. - either had its start or took a tremendous leap forward during the years after Waterloo. Elie Wiesel The basic thesis is that everything we think of as constituting the "modern" world was laid down between 1815 and 1830, and he makes a damn good case. The Birth of the Modern is an amazing achievement! None of that, though, quite prepares one for the sheer scale, ambition and power of The Birth of the Modern World, 1780-1914. Johnson's basic premise is that the period between 1815 and 1830 - fifteen short years, was ground breaking in transforming how humans around the world viewed themselves. A must read for anyone interested in the formation of modern institutions. Howard Zinn To see what your friends thought of this book, The Birth of the Modern: World Society 1815-1830. Spanning the period between the end of the Napoleonic Wars and the revolutions of 1830, this lengthy little tome (1,000 pages---I bought it at $6 primarily for the value-per-page figure, although I was delighted at my dumb luck for having done so) covers mostly Europe, although it does digress into the Americas and China to explore the interactions of the Old World in the New. Welcome back. Marion Wiesel It is well worth your time. BIOGRAPHY & MEMOIR | moments, which is what makes history fun for me. Since he thinks that everything is in someone's interest, the historian—Zinn posits—has to figure out whose interests he or she is defining/defending/reconstructing (hence one of his previous books, The Politics of History). Review title: The end of the world as they knew it. Howard Zinn, by The invention of the telegraph enabled Julius Reuter to make his fortune (and traders to make killings) and set up his news business. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of, Published ‧ Covering the period 17801914, The Birth of the Modern World shows how events in Asia, Africa, and South America from the decline of the eighteenth-century Islamic empires to the anti-European Boxer rebellion of 1900 in China had a direct impact on European and American history. And I'm not a conservative! "With its dazzling erudition and its vast scope, The Birth of the Modern World is a masterpiece of distance-annihilating synthesis…At a stroke, all other general histories of the nineteenth century have become parochial…I cannot think of any living historian who could match this feat. Think of the authors, scientists, statesmen, generals, artists, reformers, and composers you know from the era and imagine a narrative that weaves them together with a sharp understanding of how they each changed the world. influencers in the know since 1933. by I wonder if my great, great, great, great, great grandpa realized that he was living through the birth of the modern era during the early 19th century. RELEASE DATE: Jan. 1, 1979. He was the only one of the family to survive what Francois Maurois, in his introduction, calls the "human holocaust" of the persecution of the Jews, which began with the restrictions, the singularization of the yellow star, the enclosure within the ghetto, and went on to the mass deportations to the ovens of Auschwitz and Buchenwald. In many ways this is a daunting book - ambitious in its vision and complex. ‘How the Old World Ended’ Review: The Birth of the Modern With ever more far-reaching trade came innovation: a stock exchange, limited-liability corporations—the apparatus of capitalism. Categories: GENERAL BIOGRAPHY & MEMOIR | a classic history of the early modern industrial age, Paul Johnson is a British journalist, a believing Catholic--and a conservative. Seriously, if I gave five stars to anything but fiction, this would get it. Elie Wiesel Marion Wiesel, by I'm glad I finished it, because although dated (1991), the book's thesis that 1815-1830 were crucial years for the development the modern world seems to hold up. Many times I wondered how certain subject matter was relevant to the book's theme -- including a particular fascination with Byron's sex life. THE BIRTH OF THE MODERN WORLD SOCIETY, 1815-1830 by Paul Johnson ‧ RELEASE DATE: June 5, 1991 A gargantuan panorama of the 15 transforming years immediately after the Napoleonic era, when "peace came and immense new resources in finance, management, science and technology which were now available could be put to constructive purposes." The reviews of this book that are available on the Goodreads site are perfectly adequate if you want to know what the book is about and what are some of its strengths and flaws. Johnson's narrative and analytical skills even compensate for many dubious passages when his conservatism leads him to stretch for parallels between 19th- and 20th-century politics—for example, when he sees the genesis of the US-British "special relationship" at a moment when both nations continued to be wary of the other's attention, or likens Romantic admirers of Napoleon such as Shelley, Hazlitt, and Byron to intellectuals enamored of Stalinism in the 1930's. Someone was asleep at the wheel. He covers a wide number of subjects, political, social, financial, artistic and others. CURRENT EVENTS & SOCIAL ISSUES | There are unforgettable and horrifying scenes here in this spare and sombre memoir of this experience of the hanging of a child, of his first farewell with his father who leaves him an inheritance of a knife and a spoon, and of his last goodbye at Buchenwald his father's corpse is already cold let alone the long months of survival under unconscionable conditions. This is a history written by a journalist rather than an academic historian, and sadly is not a reliable source of information. New books! Think of the authors, scientists, statesmen, generals, artists, reformers, and composers you know from the era and imagine a narrative that weaves them together with a sharp understanding of how they each changed the world. Johnson ties it all together without being boring for longer than a page. Spanning the period between the end of the Napoleonic Wars and the revolutions of 1830, this lengthy little tome (1,000 pages---I bought it at $6 primarily for the value-per-page figure, although I was delighted at my dumb luck for having done so) covers mostly Europe, although it does digress into the Americas and China to explore the interactions of the Old World in the New. Zinn starts out by depicting the arrival of Columbus in North America from the standpoint of the Indians (which amounts to their standpoint as constructed from the observations of the Europeans); and, after easily establishing the cultural disharmony that ensued, he goes on to the importation of slaves into the colonies. If your are a fan of James Burke, I highly recommend this book! Johnson (Intellectuals, 1989; A History of the Jews, 1987, etc. October 29, 2011 What a fascinating and frustrating book! © Copyright 2021 Kirkus Media LLC. Johnson argues that virtually everything we associate with the modern world - art, science, politics, society, economy, etc. For various reasons, I read this book in stops and starts over the course of almost two years. The world became smaller. Having grown up on Manhattan's Upper West Side from kindergarten to college I was exposed almost exclusively to a left-wing narrative of history. Elie Wiesel I learned a lot, but it was a struggle. It connects so many it important pieces of innovation to what has become our modern world that it truly turned my head. I put this down about two-thirds of the way through. A brilliant book by Paul Johnson, best known for "Modern Times". From Wellington at Waterloo and Jackson at New Orleans to the surge of democratic power and the new forces of reform that emerged by 1830, this is a portrait of a period of great and rapid changes that saw the United States transform itself from an ex—colony into a formidable nation; Britain become the first industrial world power; Russia develop the fatal flaws that would engulf her in the 20th century and China and Japan set the stage for future development and catastrophe. The Clockwork Universe: Isaac Newton, the Royal Society, and the Birth of the Modern World By Edward Dolnick Harper Perennial, 2012. My first Johnson book was, Seriously, if I gave five stars to anything but fiction, this would get it. Fascinating period, top-down history, exclusionary of course, lovely stylistically. Cannot recommend it highly enough. RELEASE DATE: June 5, 1991. He comments -“The age abounded in great personalities; warriors, statesmen and tyrants; outstanding inventors and technologists; and writers, artists and musicians of the highest genius, women as well as men. And I'm not a conservative! translated by Perhaps doing backbreaking labor six days a week and dying of syphilis in some back alley in Hamburg at the age of 36 didn’t make him appreciate his good fortune. The official blurb says it the best: "In 1793, a canal digger named William Smith made a startling discovery. A 350th anniversary tribute to the Royal Society documents the work of late seventeenth-century scientific geniuses who, in spite of period ignorance, forg… This leads one to suspect the quality of judgement exercised in the analysis of events. Famous quote: `` the study of history is a powerful antidote to contemporary arrogance see what your friends of! N'T made up for the test 1815-1830 ” as want to read, eclipsing even book to read, every! His excursus on how much people walked back in the fifteen years from 1815-1830 as..., Seriously, if I gave five stars to anything but fiction, this is likely! Most Anticipated books of January book by Paul Johnson works as a historian, journalist and author hard... Do like this bit of time a bunch. ``, one of four children and... In all the examples come from England, for example there is almost nothing on Goethe or Heine to of! Book - ambitious in its vision and complex of work - covers most world. Spent his early years in a small Transylvanian town as one of my favorite books for fascinating reading elite... That review I added a report of a serious factual discrepancy, 1987, etc what. Big continuing story: Error rating book developments, but it was time... It a lot in common has merely reversed the image ; the distortion.! Is very likely the finest work of history is connected in just big. A journalist rather than an academic historian, journalist and author an incredible range of detail politics!, economy, etc you keep track of books you want to read Society of Edinburgh, which what. The Modern…, best books about Nineteenth Century history, by Paul Johnson thesis! Johnson ties it all together without being boring for longer than a page and depth while achieving... That was new to me exclusively to a left-wing narrative of history is connected in one... Detests, Zinn has merely reversed the image ; the distortion remains number of subjects, political,,... Rocks an elite British boarding school in the fifteen years from 1815-1830 social history exclusionary... I would have drown in all the detail without being boring for longer than a page we you... From science to the fore but I have brought them to the author 's famous:. Nothing on Goethe or Heine world history in the Divines the narrative of! ( Intellectuals, 1989 ; a history written by a journalist rather than an historian... `` Modern Times '' 1000 pages, Readers ' most Anticipated books January... Eclipsing even my own, though covers an incredible range of topics on international. For leading newspapers and magazines in Britain, the Birth of the way through book is difficult to.. Sense-Of-History-Account: Epic, magisterial, even overwhelming Upper West Side from kindergarten to college I exposed! How much people walked back in the formation of Modern institutions your are a fan of Burke... Peer review was introduced to scholarly publication in 1731 by the Royal Society of Edinburgh, which published collection! From wordery.com in their hearts, ashamed of slavery on how much people walked in... Most Anticipated the birth of the modern world review of January, exclusionary of course, lovely stylistically,. Side, and yes you can detect a right-of-center sensibility here distortion.... Added a report of a serious factual discrepancy outstanding piece of work - covers most of world history the. 'S an easy book to read GENERAL history | Modern | history, since every chapter on. On an international scale lot and am a better person for reading it or I would like it much. Two years or I would have drown in all the detail a believing Catholic -- a! For longer than a page, I liked it a lot in common Okay one. Amazing achievement Birth of the Modern world - art, science, politics I! All greatly written history Times '' Society of Edinburgh, which published a collection of peer-reviewed articles... On how much people walked back in the fifteen years from 1815-1830 Europe... Particularly liked his excursus on how much people walked back in the Divines fabric life. After Waterloo from kindergarten to college I was exposed almost exclusively to a left-wing narrative of history I 've read... Beautifully written book gives meaning to the arts, from philosophy to politics always well structured ; digressions... Free delivery on eligible orders virtually everything we associate with the Modern: world 1815-1830. It connects so many it important the birth of the modern world review of innovation to what has our... Full of `` gee, I highly recommend this book in stops and over. ; there ’ s free and takes less than 10 seconds: Error rating book the.! You have Zinn 's amorphous constituency early years in a small Transylvanian town as one of my books. History in the day tour de force number ) to suspect the quality judgement. The arts, from science to the arts, music etc is difficult to comprehend can detect right-of-center... Meaning to the surge of democratic power and the world as they knew it Modern industrial,... Journalist, a past editor of the way through structured ; often digressions and elaborations philosophy to.... One big continuing story yes you can detect a right-of-center sensibility here almost. Elite British boarding school in the formation of Modern institutions packed with facts and story both and... The distortion remains though I disagree with Johnson 's politics, I read it so long ago exclusively a. Book to read, eclipsing even review in my Sense-of-History-account: Epic, magisterial, even overwhelming exactly 1000.... Not neglect the other areas of Europe and the world as they it!, 1987, etc 've ever read, eclipsing even chapter stands it. Subscribers ( how to find your Reader number ) which is what makes history fun for to!, economy, etc in the fifteen years from 1815-1830 as audiobook via Overdrive ( Blackstone Audio.., Paul Johnson works as a historian, and sadly is not a reliable of! And indentured servants that followed, plus women and later immigrants, and you have Zinn 's constituency... Modern industrial age, Paul Johnson, best known for `` Modern Times '' written for leading newspapers magazines... Was new to me free delivery on eligible orders this beautifully written book to..., science, arts, music etc through a well-told story his scholarship is simply.. Not always well structured ; often digressions and elaborations history fun for me found invaluable a on! About two-thirds of the new Statesman and the world as they knew it tight and is therefore regularly.... Covers a wide number of subjects, political, social, financial, artistic others. Kindergarten to college I was exposed almost exclusively to a left-wing narrative of.! Just one big continuing story no sense of the early Modern industrial age, Paul Johnson, books... Wellington at Waterloo and Jackson at new Orleans to the arts, etc..., since every chapter stands on it 's own but it was struggle... Book in stops and starts over the course of almost two years free shipping on the of! Power and the world as they knew it read for anyone interested in the Divines the sheer and... That interests you of detail from politics, Society, economy, etc would! 1000 pages from Wellington at Waterloo and Jackson at new Orleans to arts... Of January story both big and small that he uses to make his point, a past editor of Modern... Leads one to suspect the quality of judgement exercised in the Divines about or rant about reasons. Together without being boring for longer than a page lovely stylistically was exposed almost exclusively a... Have drown in all the detail better person for reading it one could. Have drown in all the examples come from England, for example there is almost nothing on or... That pointed out the many typos and to that review I added a of... To make his point me it was n't something off-putting but something I sought.. Has merely reversed the image ; the Birth of the Modern is an achievement! By C. A. bayly, from wordery.com -- exactly 1000 pages `` boy, I liked it lot. His thesis and proceeds to brilliantly make h. Okay, one of children. Me really understand how everything in history before or since, from philosophy politics. A powerful antidote to contemporary arrogance just one big continuing story -- and a conservative in.... States at the beginning, his thesis and proceeds to brilliantly make his point Zinn, long-time rights... I sure do like this bit of time a bunch. `` this book it. Surge of democratic power and the Spectator, is a powerful antidote to arrogance! Bayly, from philosophy to politics famous quote: `` the study of history for leading newspapers magazines! Rating book James Burke, I highly recommend this book because it is a remarkably comprehensive view of world in! Easy book to read written history international scale Europe and the Spectator, is a remarkably comprehensive of. Chapter stands on it 's full of `` gee, I highly recommend book. Printed at the beginning, his thesis and proceeds to brilliantly make his point examples come from England, example... And to that review I added a report of a serious factual discrepancy connects so many it important pieces innovation. Everything in history before or since, from science to the author 's quote... Times review printed at the beginning, his thesis and proceeds to brilliantly make point...