In 1640 Europe was a term without precise political significance. In the ensuing years the idea of Europe came to mean more. The Making of Modern Europe 1648-1780 is a thoroughly comprehensive account of this period. It:
* traces the evolution of the developing society
* presents detailed studies of the people, their environment, attitudes and beliefs
* examines economic aspects
* focuses on the growth of states
* addressses issues of politics, war and diplomacy
* includes chapters on religion, intellectualism and science
The work provides an excellent basis for the study of seventeenth and eighteenth-century European history.