European history: medieval period, middle ages Books

Book SynopsisTwo Masterpieces of tactics and strategyThere have been few men so distinguished that their names have been embraced into the language, but the author of the two works in this special Leonaur edition is a notable and famous example. Everyone who is aware of Niccolo Machiavelli, the Renaissance Florentine founder of political science knows his name is a by-word for the real or ''devil''s politics''-the ruthless system employed by most men and institutions of power and the practice of which is-naturally-roundly denied by all of them. Machiavelli was, in fact, a man of many other talents and parts. Poet, songwriter, civil servant, diplomat, playwright and philosopher. He held office in the Florentine Republic whilst the Medicis were out of power and wrote his masterpiece and most famous work, The Prince, on their return to Florence. Today, some 500 years later, Machiavelli''s theories remain highly respected and are still studied by military men, politicians and those in business. Machiavelli''s The Art of War-politics by other means-makes a fitting companion piece to The Prince in this new edition which will be a valuable addition to any library.Leonaur editions are newly typeset and are not facsimiles; each title is available in softcover and hardback with dustjacket; our hardbacks are cloth bound and feature gold foil lettering on their spines and fabric head and tail bands.

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Book SynopsisA fresh look at the complex question of outdoor poor relief in the nineteenth century.The consequences of extreme poverty were a grim reality for all too many people in Victorian England. The various poor laws implemented to try to deal with it contained a number of controversial measures, one of the most radical and unpopular being the crusade against outdoor relief, during which central government sought to halt all welfare payments at home. Via a close case study of Brixworth union in Northamptonshire, which offers an unusually richcorpus of primary material and evidence, the author looks at what happened to those impoverished men and women who struggled to live independently in a world-without-welfare outside the workhouse. She retraces the experiences ofelderly paupers evicted from almshouses, of the children of the aged poor prosecuted for parental maintenance, of dying paupers who were refused medical care in their homes, and of women begging for funeral costs in an attempt toprevent the bodies of their loved ones being taken for dissection by anatomists. She then shows how increasing democratisation gave the labouring poor the means to win control of the poor law. ELIZABETH T. HURREN is a Reader in the Medical Humanities, University of Leicester.Trade ReviewWell researched and clearly written, this is a valuable contribution to our understanding of the intersection between political and elected political action on the one hand, and the power of democratization on socio-economic policy on the other. * GEORGE MASON UNIVERSITY JOURNAL OF SOCIAL HISTORY *This excellent study of the administration and politics of the English poor law, in a comparatively neglected phase of its history, contributes greatly to our understanding of the 'poverty, politics and poor relief' of the title. * . *[Makes] a significant contribution to the historiography of the later nineteenth century. * AGRICULTURAL HISTORY REVIEW *Table of ContentsIntroduction The New Poor Law: Legal and Theoretical Framework Retrenchment Rhetoric: Crusaders and their Critics The Northamptonshire Poor Law Experience, 1834-1900 Setting the Poor Law Stage to Stigmatise Paupers A World-without-welfare? Penalising the Poor with Welfare-to-work Schemes Organising Resistance: Protesting about Pauperism Class Coalition: Poor Law Crisis and Reaction Begging for Burial: Fighting for Poor Law Funding Campaigning for Change: Democracy and Poor Law Politics, 1890-1900 Denouement: Continuity or Change? Conclusion Bibliography

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Book SynopsisA reassessment of the relationship between the UK and the USSR at a troubled time.The then Labour government's efforts to promote East-West détente and to improve Anglo-Soviet relations from 1964 to 1970 have been largely overlooked; yet they were of huge significance. This book offers a major reappraisal. It challenges the caricature of Harold Wilson's rigid subservience to America, demonstrating that as a Prime Minister he intended to develop closer contacts with the Soviet leadership, and to foster co-operation on arms control, conflict resolution in Vietnam and East-West trade. It illustrates how the Labour government reconciled its policy towards the USSR and Warsaw Pact states with its alignment with the USA and NATO membership. And it concludes that Wilson's failure to improve relations between the UK and USSR was due to both the impact of crises in Vietnam, the Middle East and Czechoslovakia, and to the unwillingness of the Soviet government to alter its fundamentally adversarial attitude to the West. GERAINT HUGHES teaches at the Joint Services Command and Staff College at Shrivenham.Trade ReviewA solid, insightful contribution to the literature, which serves as a thorough overview of this era and the Labour government's foreign policy. * CERCLES *The strength of the book is that it locates foreign and defence policy within a tapestry of domestic political, national and international contexts. The role and perspectives of individuals are also illuminated. [...] Hughes provides helpful detail and perspective in exploring the expectations of, and challenges for, Labour's Ostpolitik, and is a valuable overview for students of British foreign and security policy, as well as for those interested in the foreign and defence policies of Labour governments. * ENGLISH HISTORICAL REVIEW *Table of ContentsIntroduction The evolution of British Cold War policy, 1945-1964 The UK and East-West relations, 1964-1965 The Wilson government and the Vietnam War, 1965-1968 British strategy and defence policy, 1964-1968 Détente, trade and espionage, 1964-1968 The 'Prague Spring' and its aftermath, 1968-1970 Conclusion Bibliography

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Book SynopsisAn examination of the various dimensions - political, social and economic - to the evolution of Franco-Irish relations in the early modern period.The period 1500 to 1610 witnessed a fundamental transformation in the nature of Franco-Irish relations. In 1500 contact was exclusively based on trade and small-scale migration. However, from the early 1520s to the early 1580s, the dynamics of 'normal' relations were significantly altered as unprecedented political contacts between Ireland and France were cultivated. These ties were abandoned when, after decades of unsuccessful approaches to the French crown for military and financial support for their opposition to the Tudor régime in Ireland, Irish dissidents redirected their pleas to the court of Philip II of Spain. Trade and migration, which had continued at a modest level throughout the sixteenth century, re-emerged in the early 1600s as the most important and enduring channels of contact between the France and Ireland, though the scale of both had increased dramatically since the early sixteenth century. In particular, the unprecedented influx of several thousand Irish migrants into France in the later stages and in the aftermath of the Nine Years' War in Ireland (1594-1603) represented a watershed in Franco-Irishrelations in the early modern period. By 1610 Ireland and Irish people were known to a significantly larger section of French society than had been the case a hundred years before. The intensification of this contact notwithstanding, the intricacies of Irish domestic political, religious and ideological conflicts continued to elude the vast majority of educated Frenchmen, including those at the highest rank in government and diplomatic circles. In their minds, Ireland remained an exotic country. They viewed the Irish in the streets of their cities and towns as offensive, slothful, dirty, prolific and uncouth, just as they were depicted in the French scholarly tracts read by the French elite. This study explores the various dimensions to this important chapter in the evolution of Franco-Irish relations in the early modern period. MARY ANN LYONS is Professor of History at Maynooth University, Republic of Ireland.Trade ReviewWell-researched and interpreted. [...] An important and welcome study of Irish vicissitudes on the continent. * ALBION *A strong contribution to the growing corpus of works on Irish relations with the European continent in the early modern period. * H-FRANCE *A useful monograph which fills a significant gap in our understanding of the diplomatic and political relations between the British Isles and the Continent in that period. * ENGLISH HISTORICAL REVIEW *This book is so well structured, contextualised, accessible and readable that it will be difficult to replace in the foreseeable future as an account of Franco-Irish relations in the sixteenth century. * IRISH STUDIES REVIEW *Table of ContentsIntroduction 'Vain imagination': the French dimension to Geraldine intrigue, 1523-1539 Gerald Fitzgerald's sojourn in France, 1540 Irish dimensions to the Anglo-French war, 1543-1546 The French diplomatic mission to Ulster and its aftermath, 1548-1551 French conspiracy at rival courts and Shane O'Neill's triangular intrigue, 1553-1567 French reaction to Catholic Counter-Reformation campaigns in Ireland, 1570-1584 France and the fall-out from the Nine Years' War in Ireland, 1603-1610 Conclusion

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Book SynopsisA new investigation into the 1641 Irish rebellion, contrasting its myth with the reality.After an evening spent drinking with Irish conspirators, an inebriated Owen Connelly confessed to the main colonial administrators in Ireland that a plot was afoot to root out and destroy Ireland's English and Protestant population. Within days English colonists in Ireland believed that a widespread massacre of Protestant settlers was taking place. Desperate for aid, they began to canvass their colleagues in England for help, claiming that they were surrounded by an evil popish menace bent on destroying their community. Soon sworn statements, later called the 1641 depositions, confirmed their fears (despite little by way of eye-witness testimony). In later years, Protestant commentators could point to the 1641 rebellion as proof of Catholic barbarity and perfidy. However, as the author demonstrates, despite some of the outrageous claims made in the depositions, the myth of 1641 became more important than the reality. The aim of this book is to investigate how the rebellion broke out and whether there was a meaning in the violence which ensued. It also seeks to understand how the English administration in Ireland portrayed these events to the wider world, and to examine whether and how far their claims were justified. Did they deliberately construct a narrative of death and destruction that belied what really happened? An obvious, if overlooked, contextis that of the Atlantic world; and particular questions asked are whether the English colonists drew upon similar cultural frameworks to describe atrocities in the Americas; how this shaped the portrayal of the 1641 rebellion incontemporary pamphlets; and the effect that this had on the wider Wars of the Three Kingdoms between England, Ireland and Scotland. EAMON DARCY is an Irish Research Council Postdoctoral Fellow working at Maynooth University, Republic of Ireland.Trade ReviewA valuable book with important insights into the rebellion and broadening our view of the material-literary and oral-which it produced and was used in a variety of ways to justify actions both during and after the wars. * SEVENTEENTH-CENTURY NEWS *Bring[s] fresh perspectives and wider contexts. * CATHOLIC HISTORICAL REVIEW *Table of ContentsIntroduction Representing violence and empire: Ireland and the wider world Imagined violence? The outbreak of the 1641 rebellion in Ireland Manufacturing massacre: The 1641 depositions and the Wars of the Three Kingdoms The 1641 rebellion and violence in the New and Old Worlds Contesting the 1641 rebellion Conclusion: The 1641 rebellion in its British, European and Atlantic world context

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Book SynopsisThe fascinating story of one of the oldest and most controversial parties in Irish politics over the last hundred years.Trade Review'Already confirmed as an astute observer of the political landscape here, Brian Feeney is well placed to document and analyse the progress of Sinn Fein ... He is also adept at covering the genesis and early development of a movement which, more than any other, shaped the destiny of this country over the past 100 years.' -- Fermanagh Herald'(T)he first comprehensive account ever written on the history of the party. Feeney has managed to do that with an account that is well-written and always easy to read ... With contributions from Danny Morrison, Tom Hartley, Jim Gibney and Ruairi Ó Brádaigh and drawing on the writings of Gerry Adams, Feeney's latest book ... will become a reference point for every student of Irish history.' -- North Belfast News'For anyone wishing to understand the changing fortunes of Sinn Féin, Brian Feeney's book will be essential, indeed vital reading ... He manages at the same time to be judicious, well informed and un-academic.' -- Irish Catholic * The Irish Catholic *'Fascinating and engrossing ... This excellent book will to appeal those interested in Irish history and Irish political history in particular.' -- Bray People * Bray People *'Should be required reading for all those who believe that Sinn Fein is incapable of being anything other than what they insist it has always been. Certainly it will be the starting point definitive text on the subject of political republicanism, standing alongside the histories of the IRA written by Tim Pat Coogan and J. Bowyer-Bell.' -- Ulster Herald'Timely reading for those who wish to gain a balanced perspective of a movement which claims to be the dynamo of change in both the Irish Republic and Northern Ireland.' -- Evening Herald * Evening Herald *'Feeney's books serves as useful overview and is to be welcomed' -- Irish Democrat'This is an easy read, a popular history which glitters with insight and valuably illuminates the present ... the elegant way he has laid out a mass of fact, quote, reminiscence and deft observation in a work which, among its other qualities, includes the best and most level-headed account of the Provos in the Peace Process yet to emerge.' -- Eamonn McCann - The Sunday Tribune * The Sunday Tribune *'An analytical and narrative masterpiece ... Brian Feeney has managed to recount the roller-coaster history of Sinn Féin in a balanced and extremely vivid manner.' -- Professor Declan Kiberd'Historian and political journalist Feeney is well qualified to make this a definitive text on the vast list of figures and their advances as well as setbacks in this phoenix of a party.' -- Books Ireland * Books Ireland *'Feeney's book represents the first attempt to outline the long-term historical development of Sinn Féin both as a party and as a movement ... Feeney's analysis of the early years of Sinn Féin in Northern Ireland, and its more recent history as part of the burgeoning peace process, is masterful, fast-moving and well-argued.' -- Derry People Donegal News * Derry People & Donegal News *'Brian Feeney's history of the party is obviously timely. It is also impressive. Feeney ... diligently traces the party through its various incarnations from the loose grouping launched by Arthur Griffith in 1905 to the slick machine of today. Feeney's work is clear, thorough and fluently written.' -- Sunday Business Post * Sunday Business Post *'Already confirmed as an astute observer of the political landscape here, 'Brian Feeney is well placed to document and analyse the progress of Sinn Fein ... He is also adept at covering the genesis and early development of a movement which, more than any other, shaped the destiny of this country over the past 100 years.' -- Fermanagh Herald'(T)he first comprehensive account ever written on the history of the party. Feeney has managed to do that with an account that is well-written and always easy to read ... With contributions from Danny Morrison, Tom Hartley, Jim Gibney and Ruairi Ó Brádaigh and drawing on the writings of Gerry Adams, Feeney's latest book ... will become a reference point for every student of Irish history.' -- North Belfast News'For anyone wishing to understand the changing fortunes of Sinn Féin, Brian Feeney's book will be essential, indeed vital reading ... He manages at the same time to be judicious, well informed and un-academic.' -- Irish Catholic * The Irish Catholic *'Fascinating and engrossing ... This excellent book will to appeal those interested in Irish history and Irish political history in particular.' -- Bray People * Bray People *'Should be required reading for all those who believe that Sinn Fein is incapable of being anything other than what they insist it has always been. Certainly it will be the starting point definitive text on the subject of political republicanism, standing alongside the histories of the IRA written by Tim Pat Coogan and J. Bowyer-Bell.' -- Ulster Herald'Timely reading for those who wish to gain a balanced perspective of a movement which claims to be the dynamo of change in both the Irish Republic and Northern Ireland.' -- Evening Herald * Evening Herald *'This is an easy read, a popular history which glitters with insight and valuably illuminates the present ... the elegant way he has laid out a mass of fact, quote, reminiscence and deft observation in a work which, among its other qualities, includes the best and most level-headed account of the Provos in the Peace Process yet to emerge.' -- Eamonn McCann - The Sunday Tribune * The Sunday Tribune *'An analytical and narrative masterpiece ... Brian Feeney has managed to recount the roller-coaster history of Sinn Féin in a balanced and extremely vivid manner.' -- Professor Declan Kiberd'Historian and political journalist Feeney is well qualified to make this a definitive text on the vast list of figures and their advances as well as setbacks in this phoenix of a party.' -- Books Ireland * Books Ireland *'Feeney's book represents the first attempt to outline the long-term historical development of Sinn Féin both as a party and as a movement ... Feeney's analysis of the early years of Sinn Féin in Northern Ireland, and its more recent history as part of the burgeoning peace process, is masterful, fast-moving and well-argued.' -- Derry People Donegal News * Derry People & Donegal News *'Brian Feeney's history of the party is obviously timely. It is also impressive. Feeney ... diligently traces the party through its various incarnations from the loose grouping launched by Arthur Griffith in 1905 to the slick machine of today. Feeney's work is clear, thorough and fluently written.' -- Sunday Business Post * Sunday Business Post *

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Book Synopsis“The importance of [the 1913] report for the world lies primarily in the light it casts on the excruciating situation prevailing today... to reveal to people of this age how much of today's problem has deep roots and how much does not. It will be easier to think of solutions when such realities are kept in mind.”—George F. Kennan (from the Introduction)

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Book Synopsis

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