Romanticism and Revolt: Europe 1815-48

by J.L. Talmon, Jacob L. Talmon

Illustrated throughout in color & black-&-white. The French Revolution & its sequel in Napoleonic imperialism disrupted the historic continuity of European society & shattered most of its traditions. All the significant problems of the period arise out of these events, which even determined the attitudes adopted towards the expanding Industrial Revolution.
Foreword
Introduction
The grand Debate
Socialism
Nationalism
Romanticism
1848: The Year of Trial
Statistics
Bibliography
List of Illustrations
Index

Genres: History

216 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 1967

About the author

See Jacob L. Talmon.

Reviews

[John E]

This is an excellent overview of the philosophies raging though Europe following the fall of Napoleon. It is not a history of the period, but rather a study of how ideas infected and impacted the history of the era. Before reading it I would suggest a thorough review of the history of the period because of the many references to events and people that are not explained in the short book.

[Stephen Masri]

A broad brush view on a pivotal era in Europe--very broad. There are interesting views on topics as the narrative skips along exploring themes but the book leaves the reader baffled at many points. The author will list a number of 19th century writers whom he says support a point to be made, but provides no quote or any detail as to what they actually wrote. He alludes to Schiller's view on the German nation as a broad polity of small principalities, but does not tell us what Schiller said or in what work. We can contrast Paul Johnson's "Birth of the Modern." which covered the same period with sharply focused details; as with such a work, Johnson chose what to include and what to omit, but leaving the reader with a very clear impression of an era. Talmon covers everything, but from such a wide angle view that nothing ever comes into a narrative focus.

[Matt]

This one took a minute!

A good read. Though dry in large parts, section such as the penultimate chapter on Romanticism's death throes in the mid 19th century, leading then into the final chapter on the death of romantic revolt in Europe, make strong connections. A good read for our current times of widening class divisions.

[Erik Graff]

This is an introductory text to the early nineteenth century in western Europe written by a conservative historian who focuses on the disruptive and destructive aspects of the revolutionary movements of the period.