Europe 1783-1914

Authors: William Simpson and Martin Jones

Edition: Second

Publisher: Routledge

Pages: 462

Price: £75.00 and £22.99

ISBN: 9780415470650 and 70667

The survey of European history over a lengthy period is one of the long-established genres of textbooks, the starting point for the diligent student and the main source for many. Authors are faced with a daunting task: the need to balance compression with sufficient detail, to cover cultural and scientific as well as social and political history, and to maintain continuity, while knowing that most readers will consult them with their present essay in mind. William Simpson and Martin Jones follow a relatively conservative format with broad thematic chapters punctuated by studies of individual countries. They do it well, and this sensibly structured book with excellent illustrations, chronologies, “topics for debate” and document extracts will repay that rare event, the purchase by a student of a book.

Who is it for? A-level students and undergraduates.

Presentation Very well-designed structure. The “topics for debate” sections are excellent and up-to-date in their historiography.

Would I recommend it? Yes. A good reliable general history.