France, 1800-1914 A Social History [Paperback]

Nineteenth-century France was a society of apparent paradoxes. It is famous for periodic and bloody revolutionary upheavals, for class conflict and for religious disputes, yet it was marked by relative demographic stability, gradual urbanisation and modest economic change, class conflict and ongoing religious and cultural tensions.

Incorporating much recent research, Roger Magraw draws both upon still-valuable insights derived from the 'new social history' of the 1960s and upon more recent approaches suggested by gender history , cultural anthropology and the 'linguistic turn'.

General editor's preface.  Acknowledgements.  Maps.  Introduction: writing the social history of 19th century France.  1. Social Elites.  2. The Making of the French Working Class.  3. The Peasantry.  4. Religion and anti-clericalism.  5. Education and the uses of literacy.  6. Crime and punishment.  7. The medicalisation of nineteenth-century France.  8. The birth of a consumer society?  9. Gender.  Conclusion.  Appendix I: Political Regimes, 1789-1914.  Appendix II: Chronology of events, 1780-1914.  Appendix III: Glossary of Terms.

'Roger Magraw's work has long been influential  across the broad field of nineteenth-century French Studies. His books have shaped the ways in which students and specialists alike have approached the complex movements of post-revolutionary history. His present study is a remarkable work of synthesis.'

'His book is both accessible and comprehensive.'

Modern Comtemporary France, 2004

 

' With its combination of intriguing detail and lucid argument this work deserves a wide readership.'

French History, Review of Books, 2004