The Golden Century: Europe, 1598-1715

by Maurice Percy Ashley

Although the seventeenth century was one of continuous wars and revolutions, the achievements in the arts and sciences made it for Europe a golden age. Here is the Spain of Cervantes and Velazquez, the Amsterdam of Hals and Rembrandt, the London of Milton and Shakespeare, the Antwerp of Rubens and the Paris of Moliere all intertwined with modern historical analysis.

Genres: History

272 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1969

About the author

Maurice Percy Ashley, CBE, was a noted historian of the 17th Century and a former editor of The Listener.

Reviews

[Альберто Лорэдо · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good overview of the "long" 17th century from the death of Philip II of Spain and Louis XIV of France, touching all possible aspects: political, cultural, economic, etc.

Fully recommended.

[Charles · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice overview of the period between the death of Felipe II of Spain in 1598 to the death of Louis XIV of France in 1715. Covering a wide range of themes that affected this "Golden Era" in chapters including; From Feudalism to Absolutism, The Age of Baroque, Science and Religion, The Economy and War, and What Europe was, it paints a wonderful portrait of "Europe as an idea".