For much of the past five centuries, the history of the European continent has been a history of chaos, its civilization thrown into turmoil by ferocious wars or bitter religious conflicts – sometimes in combination – that have made and remade borders, created and eliminated entire nations, and left a legacy that is still influencing our world.

This 36-lecture series from an award-winning teacher and honored scholar pursues an explanation for this chaos that goes beyond the obvious ones of political ambition, religious intolerance, the pursuit of state power, or the fear of another state’s aspirations. In pursuing that explanation, Professor Liulevicius offers everyone interested in the “why” of history a remarkable look into the evolution of the European continent and the modern state system. His provocative lectures allow us to peer through the revealing lens of statecraft to show us its impact on war, peace, and power and how that impact may well be felt in the future.

As you learn to examine key points on history’s diplomatic timeline in the context of attempting to establish – successfully and not – a lasting idea of order in the European world, you’ll begin to grasp the key Professor Liulevicius offers to understanding the dynamics of international politics. And you’ll see how such key concepts as the balance of power, power itself, sovereignty, and “reason of state” – the raison d’état first enunciated by France’s powerful Cardinal Richelieu – fit into those dynamics.

Reviews

David Huff rated it it was amazing
Another very well done Course, though a fly-over of 500 years of European diplomatic history can be a dizzying experience! It’s incredible how many wars and conflicts occurred during that period, and how many, many times borders of countries were redrawn, or portions of countries — or entire nations — simply annexed.

Loren Shultz rated it it was amazing
Very good history and presentation I have enjoyed all the “Great Courses” books so far.

Product Detail:

• Full Audio MP3 Program
• Full PDF E-Book Included
• Listening Length : 18 hours and 41 minutes
• Author : Vejas Gabriel Liulevicius, The Great Courses
• Narrator : Vejas Gabriel Liulevicius
• Audible.com Release Date : July 08, 2013
• Publisher : The Great Courses
• Program Type : Audiobook
• Version : Original recording
• Language : English
• ASIN : B00DTO5ZX6

The post War, Peace, and Power: Diplomatic History of Europe, 1500-2000 appeared first on EASY Digital Pro.