Posted in European History, History, World History, tagged European Union on April 21, 2008 | No Comments »
Although I am usually loath to recommend any history book written after 1920, when the subject matter itself postdates WWI, you simply have no choice. And, truth be told, I have read more than a handful of quite excellent histories from modern writers, despite the dreadful state of the profession, so I’m willing to [...]
Posted in European History, History, World History, tagged Europe, European Union on March 5, 2008 | 6 Comments »
On the face of it, the development of a European identity seems like a positive thing. Indeed, the establishment of the European Union has resulted in many positive developments for that continent. However, Europeans should not allow themselves to be seduced with a kiss.
In 1951, the European Coal Steel Community (ECSC) was formed, [...]
Posted in European History, History, World History, tagged European Union on February 27, 2008 | 1 Comment »
The European Union is an embryonic supranational political entity. What does this mean?
The first thing to notice about the term supranationalism is that it involves the concept of nationalism. In other words, it is rooted in collectivism. Unlike internationalism, however, supranationalism does not hold that the solution to the friction between national collectives is a [...]
Posted in European History, History, World History, tagged European Union on February 25, 2008 | 1 Comment »
My students and I recently completed the History of Europe in the A First History for AdultsTM program. In that course, we traced the story of Europe from the Fall of the Roman Empire to the formation of the European Union.
It isn’t a pretty picture.
The ending, which I refer to as the “European Subordinacy” (mostly to America) [...]
Posted in European History, History, The Middle East, World History, tagged Catherine the Great, Eastern Question, Ottoman Empire on January 25, 2008 | No Comments »
Peter the Great, Tsar of Russia from 1682 to 1725, initiated the forced Westernization of his country. After touring Europe in an attempt to gain first hand knowledge of the reasons for European military superiority, he paid Western experts to return to Russia to revamp its army and navy, he forced his courtiers to adopt Western [...]
Posted in European History, History for Adults, The Middle East, World History, tagged Eastern Question, Ottoman Empire on January 4, 2008 | No Comments »
The latter seventeenth century saw the marked advance of Western civilization at the expense of Islamic power, culminating in Europe’s victory in the ”Great Turkish War.”
Despite a brief resurgence under the martial dynasty of vizirs (prime ministers) of the Koprulu family, it became evident that the tide of Islam had been turned and that the West would begin [...]
Posted in American History, European History, History for Adults, The Middle East on December 14, 2007 | 2 Comments »
Powell History is offering its most amazing set of specials ever this holiday season. There’s never been a better time to enjoy learning history!
The first installment of the acclaimed A First History for AdultsTM curriculum, the 30-lecture “Story of America,” is available for $70 OFF the regular price of $449, from now until Christmas! [...]
Posted in European History, History, World History, tagged French History, Holy Roman Empire, Middle East, Ottoman Empire on November 20, 2007 | No Comments »
The Hapsburg Sandwich: Take a deep breath: In 1469, Ferdinand of Aragon and Isabella of Castile became joint rulers of Spain, creating a personal union for that kingdom. In 1477, Maximilian I Holy Roman Emperor married Mary of Burgundy, bringing a patchwork of states under direct Hapsburg control in central Europe. Then, these two families, so recently brought together [...]
Posted in European History, Powell History Book Recommendations, tagged Crusades, English History on November 15, 2007 | No Comments »
In the ongoing “A First History for Adults” program, Mr. Powell recommends books to students as follow-up resources. Here are useful links to the resources, he recommended for material about English constitutional history and the Crusades:
Constitutional and Legal History of Medieval England by Bryce Lyon
I didn’t find this one on-line for free, but here are on-line [...]
Posted in European History, Powell History Book Recommendations on July 13, 2007 | No Comments »
With my course on European History just around the corner, I wanted to provide students (and others) with a chance to pick up the best history books that you can use to follow-up on the material independently.
My list of the top ten history books on European history begins with #10, Willis Mason West’s “Early Progress.”
West’s “Modern [...]
