Customer Reviews
Erudite, detailed and indespensable. - By: , 09 Oct 2001 
The Forging of the Modern State is the type of book that I learned to love. God knows that at first I had a love-hate relationship with Professor Evans! On the face of it, this 'looks' like a difficult book. It is dense, wordy & has so much detail. But, these are all good things of course! By the end of my studies I grew to love the book. It is so crammed full of information that I find it hard to use as much as I would like to!
His chapters are well laid out & offer an overview which is fleshed out as one progresses through the text. The thematic chapters are an innovation. They provide an overview of the important matters of the day. His chapter on class consciousness is quite simply excellent.
Overall, I highly recommed this book. It elucidates the industrial periodin the late 18th & 19th century. It contains so much that a few readings are necessary - every reading revealing yet more. Finally, the compendium of information is a marvel to behold.
If you are interestedin the period then buy it!