In a work as much about the present as the past; Gregory identifies the unintended consequences of the Reformation for the modern condition: a hyperpluralism of beliefs; intellectual disagreements that splinter into fractals of specialized discourse; the absence of a substantive common good; and the triumph of capitalism’s driver; consumerism.
#33246 in Books 2011-10-15 2011-09-06Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.50 x 5.25 x 2.25l; 2.70 #File Name: 06740623101024 pages
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Wilson's The Thirty Years War is a joy to readBy HaxOfYorkWilson's work is exciting because of the care he takes in the details. His opening paragraphs snagged me because his recounting of the attempted assassination of the emissaries being thrown from a castle window were both horrible; and comical. With that incident he sets the pace for the rest of the work which is a highly informative joy to read. Wilson lends his prose and expertise to the socioeconomic norms of the century; and to the vast bureaucracy of the empire. Great read!3 of 3 people found the following review helpful. Best book on the subject so farBy Brandon FelgerIf you read Geoffrey Parker's "Thirty Years War"; and you wanted more; this is the book for you. Whereas Parker's work is a brief primer of this era of European history; Wilson digs deep into the socio-political; economic; and confessional background of the Thirty Years War. Nations that were on the periphery in Parker's book (such as Spain; Italy and the Ottoman Empire) are examined in detail for their influence on the conflict. Wilson leaves no stone unturned in this book; and I believe it to be the definitive history of the war that planted the seed of German national identity.4 of 5 people found the following review helpful. Much more than a military historyBy T. StibalA well-written book with a sense of humor about a topic that is anything but humorous; this overview covers the Thirty Year's War in a fashion that offers context; rather than just a dry military account. At just under a thousand pages (with index and illustrations) it's not for the casual reader; but for those interested in an in-depth examination of one of recorded history's most turbulent periods; t is worth the money and more.After a tidy depiction of the Defenestration of Prague; the author opens the book with a social and religious examination of Europe; one that lays out some of the sectarian conflict that the collision between Catholic and Protestants was stirring. Also examined was the socio-economic structure that obtained at the time; a period when the modern concept of nationality was still in its embryonic period.Then; it's off to the races; with the strands of "politics"; religion; economics and military action woven around each other. You don't get just Tilly and Wallenstein and Gus - you get personalities from all over Europe. (Indeed; the author goes so far as to tie in Spanish conquests and plundering in the New World with what most consider to be a purely European conflict.) The author has crafted a book that is so much more than a standard military history.When you finally come out the other end of the book; you will have a much better understanding of the period - not just from the military standpoint; but from the standpoint of the whole; "big" picture.However; no mention of my family's ancestor; a Bohemian cavalryman who fought for the Imps; and who took himself and his bride to Bavaria after his involvement as a result. My family all see this as a major omission; others might not.
