From dawn to decadence : 500 years of western cultural life : 1500 to the present

Книга From Dawn to Decadence: 500 Years of Western Cultural Life 1500 to the... From Dawn to Decadence: 500 Years of Western Cultural Life 1500 to the Present Книги Исторические Автор: Jacques Barzun Год издания: 2001 Формат: pdf Издат.:Harper Perennial Страниц: 912 Размер: 20 ISBN: 0060928832 Язык: Английский0 (голосов: 0) Оценка:Highly regarded here and abroad for some thirty works of cultural history and criticism, master historian Jacques Barzun has now set down in one continuous narrative the sum of his discoveries and conclusions about the whole of Western culture since 1500.In this account, Barzun describes what Western Man wrought from the Renaissance and Reformation down to the present in the double light of its own time and our pressing concerns. He introduces characters and incidents with his unusual literary style and grace, bringing to the fore those that have "Puritans as Democrats," "The Monarch's Revolution," "The Artist Prophet and Jester" – show the recurrent role of great themes throughout the eras. The triumphs and defeats of five hundred years form an inspiring saga that modifies the current impression of one long tale of oppression by white European males. Women and their deeds are prominent, and freedom (even in sexual matters) is not an invention of the last decades. And when Barzun rates the present not as a culmination but a decline, he is in no way a prophet of doom. Instead, he shows decadence as the creative novelty that will burst forth – tomorrow or the next day.Only after a lifetime of separate studies covering a broad territory could a writer create with such ease the synthesis displayed in this magnificent volume. Highly Regarded Here And Abroad For Some Thirty Works Of Cultural History And Criticism, Master Historian Jacques Barzun Has Now Set Down In One Continuous Narrative The Sum Of His Discoveries And Conclusions About The Whole Of Western Culture Since 1500. In This Account, Barzun Describes What Western Man Wrought From The Renaisance And Reformation Down To The Present In The Double Light Of Its Own Time And Our Pressing Concerns. He Introduces Characters And Incidents With His Unusual Literary Style And Grace, Bringing To The Fore Those That Have 'puritans As Democrats, ' 'the Monarch's Revolution, ' 'the Artist Prophet And Jester'--show The Recurrent Role Of Great Themes Throughout The Eras. The Triumphs And Defeats Of Five Hundred Years Form An Inspiring Saga That Modifies The Current Impression Of One Long Tale Of Oppression By White European Males. Women And Their Deeds Are Prominent, And Freedom (even In Sexual Matters) Is Not An Invention Of The Last Decades. And When Barzun Rates The Present Not As A Culmination But A Decline, He Is In No Way A Prophet Of Doom. Instead, He Shows Decadence As The Creative Novelty That Will Burst Forth, Tomorrow Or The Next Day. Only After A Lifetime Of Separate Studies Covering A Broad Territory Could A Writer Create With Such Ease The Synthesis Displayed In This Magnificent Volume--amazon.com. Part I. From Luther's Ninety-five Theses To Boyle's Invisible College -- Part Ii. From The Bog And Sand Of Versailles To The Tennis Court -- Part Iii. From Faust, Part I, To The Nude Descending A Staircase No. 2 -- Part Iv. From The Great Illusion To Western Civ Has Got To Go. Jacques Barzun. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [803]-828) And Indexes. Highly regarded here and abroad for some thirty works of cultural history and criticism, master historian Jacques Barzun has now set down in one continuous narrative the sum of his discoveries and conclusions about the whole of Western culture since 1500. In this account, Barzun describes what Western Man wrought from the Renaisance and Reformation down to the present in the double light of its own time and our pressing concerns. He introduces characters and incidents with his unusual literary style and grace, bringing to the fore those that have "Puritans as Democrats," "The Monarch's Revolution," "The Artist Prophet and Jester" -- show the recurrent role of great themes throughout the eras. The triumphs and defeats of five hundred years form an inspiring saga that modifies the current impression of one long tale of oppression by white European males. Women and their deeds are prominent, and freedom (even in sexual matters) is not an invention of the last decades. And when Barzun rates the present not as a culmination but a decline, he is in no way a prophet of doom. Instead, he shows decadence as the creative novelty that will burst forth -- tomorrow or the next day. Only after a lifetime of separate studies covering a broad territory could a writer create with such ease the synthesis displayed in this magnificent volume. Review " From Dawn to Decadence, in short, is peerless." -- -- New York Times Book Review "A stunning five-century study of civilization's cultural retreat." -- --William Safire, New York Times "Barzun writes with unfailing, stylish lucidity and enlivens his vast tale with ingenious devices." -- -- The New Yorker "Likely -- I am tempted to say certain -- to become a classic." -- --William H. McNeill, Los Angeles Times "[Barzun] restores color to faded memories of history and paints in the mural here bits were missing." -- --Sebastian Mallaby, Washington Post Book World [From Dawn to Decadence] is arguably the best thinking man's bedside book ever written. -- --Peter Green, Times Literary Supplement [From Dawn to Decadence] is arguably the best thinking man's bedside book ever written.” -- --Peter Green, Times Literary Supplement history; culture; art; literature; religion; manners; science; mathematics,Cultural History "Highly regarded here and abroad for some thirty works of cultural history and criticism, master historian Jacques Barzun has now set down in one continuous narrative the sum of his discoveries and conclusions about the whole of Western culture since 1500.". "In this account, Barzun describes what Western Man wrought from the Renaissance and Reformation down to the present in the double light of its own time and our pressing concerns. He introduces characters and incidents with his usual literary style and grace, bringing to the fore those that have been forgotten or obscured. His compelling chapters - such as "Puritans as Democrats," "The Monarchs' Revolution," "The Artist Prophet and Jester" - show the recurrent role of great themes throughout the eras."--BOOK JACKET. Showcases The Triumphs And Defeats Of Five Hundred Years Of Western Cultural History, Highlighting The Contributions Of Women And Arguing That Decadence Is Required In Order To Spark Creativity In The Next Era. Prologue: From Current Concerns To The Subject Of This Book -- Pt. 1: From Luther's Ninety-five Theses To Boyle's Invisible College -- Pt. 2: From The Bog And Sand Of Versailles To The Tennis Court -- Pt. 3: From Faust, Part I, To The Nude Descending A Staircase No. 2 -- Pt. 4: From The Great Illusion To Western Civ Has Got To Go. Jacques Barzun. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [803]-828) And Indexes.