The Birth of the Modern: World Society 1815–1830

What else can I add? No complaints whatsoever. I shall patronize this business again! I shall, I shall, Sam-I-Am! And I shall patronize it in the morning, and I shall patronize it in the afternoon, and I shall patronize it in a box and with a fox and...(haven't read the book yet, but there's no way the content will be anything less than prittaaay damn good!)

I am not currently reading this book since it is in Boston and I am in Seattle; and I travel back and forth. However, I see this book as equivalent to a college course in history, as the author explains in depth each aspect he discusses, setting the stage for the developments that move the world closer to our modern times. The period after Napoleon's rule of about 20 years, was like an explosion of forward movement. The author examines this unusual thrust towards modern times. I am not giving it 5 stars, because of the fact that I can only assimilate so much of the tremendous volume of information at one sitting. So it is slow going for me sometimes. The other reason is that the author's use of wording when it is a negative about the United States is not exactly the same as his wording when it is a negative about Britain, so although he may be absolutely correct factually, I suspect a bit of subjective thinking along those lines, and being an American, I see it and have to overlook it. I almost put the book down because of it, but then thought maybe I am equally subjective and I would rather be informed. I can't imagine finding a better book to inform myself of this very important part of our history.

It has taken me more than a year to make my way through this 1,000 page tome. I'm glad I persevered. Johnson's biases against the "left," trade unionists, and the "lower orders" in general peek through from time to time, but this is still a major achievement. The depth and breadth of his scholarship is simply astonishing. The basic thesis is that everything we think of as constituting the "modern" world was laid down between 1815 and 1830, and he makes a damn good case. England is the focus, but he reaches out across Europe, the United States, Russia, and the Far East to bolster his thesis. Each chapter can set the inquisitive reader off on a years-long reading spree; I found it best to read with Wikipedia within easy reach. There are minor editorial glitches throughout, but I'm almost embarrassed to mention that.

I am a great admirer of Paul Johnson's books (and I know I am not alone), and this book is no exception. I enjoyed it so much I have read it twice. He brings the post-Napoleonic era to life in fascinating detail. His well-illustrated theme is that these years in the early 1800's planted the seeds for our modern life. He reviews politics, culture, literature, music, the arts, inventions, etc., etc., all in his extremely readable and interesting way. It is a long book, full of luscious detail, a delightful read.

The book is good and the method of exposition has logic and sense. It's perfectly normal the book gave so much time to England, that had a paramount role in creating to modernity.The book it's also good in show the most important facts of the time, such as the youth of many important geniuses of time and the role of intergeneretional fight in the surge of democracy after 1830.The main weakness of book is its determinism. Processes like Latin American unstability, Russian totalitarianism, colonialism and the future "English malaise" seemed to me preordained by 1830, ignoring the advertence of the author himself about the possibility of different outcomes.Anyway, it's a book that makes history alive and interesting.

I thoroughly enjoyed this and learned so much from it. Reads like a novel. Many good excerpts from the journals of historical figures, details woven together to present many big ideas. Each section builds on the last. This is a book to own and return to, regardless of your own particular interest area. Students of American, and Russian, Latin American, Asian history, as well as of course European and UK history, will find much of interest here.

Johnson ends this history in 1830 and Alfred Lord Tennyson's poem "Locksley Hall" was written in 1835 I which in a few stanzas he foresees airpower, radio and perhaps Esperanza. The impact of the originality and pace of inventions and leaps in technology must have made an impression on every sentient citizen of the nations of Western Europe, England and North America. I have made it a practice of giving this book to the smart and curious among my friends, close relatives and grandchildren.

I finally bought this book; kept having to renew at the library, because I only read it in 5-10 page bits. It is extremely interesting...absolutely amazed at the complexity of the world at this time...I thought that our times were careening! Guess that the human condition is just always FRAUGHT! If it's not ice ages, massive plagues, or genocide; it's something else...!

This was a refreshing and detailed emphasis on the years 1815 to 1830 as key years when so many of the features of our modern age were developing.there are details here that do not sem tofeature much in other histories - and which even seem unfashionable -e.g.the role of the royal navy in suppressing the slave trade and the role taken by the British government in persuading other nations to abandon the slave trade. So much of this pressure was because of the tremendous campaign by evangelical Christians. It is a vast survey and is exhaustive without being exhausting.

Fine historical interpretation of how we got to where we are. Invigorating and original views from Johnson, as usual.

Nothing unique is my respect of Paul Johnson as a historian. He earned many accolades in his life. But I am always surprised by how much I learn each time I read Birth of the Modern.We always make the mistake of thinking our times are different. This book reminds us the themes that drive modern life developed over time...and Johnson shows us how.I think Johnson's Napoleon, Birth of the Modern, and Modern Times should almost be read in sequence, helping readers form perspective on how we got to our current society and culture

Very engaging and readable for a history novice like myself; not yet done, but so far it is continuing to hold my interest. I have the kindle version so doing online cross-references for unfamiliar words and other unknowns is a breeze. Overall a highly enjoyable experience.

One of the best historical writers of our time.