The Culture of Western Europe: The Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries

George L. Mosses' The Culture of Western Europe, originally published in 1961 and revised and expanded in 1974 and 1988, is a sweeping cultural history that addresses the key issues animating the movement of culture in Europe. It emphasizes the role of both rational and irrational forces in making modern Europe, tracing cultural and political movements in all areas of society. This new edition restores the original 1961 illustrations and features a critical introduction by Anthony J. Steinhoff, arguing for its continued relevance today.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 540 pages
Publication date: 03 January 2023
Publisher: University of Wisconsin Press

The Culture of Western Europe, a comprehensive cultural history by George L. Mosses, was first published in 1961 and subsequently revised and expanded in 1974 and 1988. Drawing from his renowned lectures at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, the book delves into the core issues that shaped the cultural movement in Europe. Moss emphasizes the interplay between eighteenth-century rationalism and nineteenth-century Romanticism, recognizing the significant role of both rational and irrational forces in the formation of modern Europe. Spanning various societal domains, including nationalism, economics, class identity, conflict, religion, morality, family structure, medicine, and art, the book traces the cultural and political movements that have shaped Europe throughout history. This new edition reintroduces the original illustrations from the 1961 edition, accompanied by a critical introduction by Anthony J. Steinhoff, a professor of history at the Université du QuÉbec À MontrÉal. Steinhoff contextualizes Mosses project and argues for its enduring relevance in contemporary times, highlighting the enduring significance of understanding the culture and history of Western Europe.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780299339449