War and Social Change in the Twentieth Century by Arthur Marwick

War and Social Change in the Twentieth Century by Arthur Marwick

This is the first systematic study of the nature and extent of the social changes brought about in Europe and North America by the major twentieth-century wars. While recognising the essential uniqueness of historical events, Professor Marwick argues that these changes can be best explained by developing a 'model' which breaks war down into four meaningful components. Throughout the book - and without detriment to the clarity of the narrative of the events themselves - there is discussion of wars as destruction, of the way in which war tests existing institutions, of the manner in which participation in war-time benefits underprivileged groups, and of the psychological repercussions of war. This study makes no attempt to glorify war of gloss over its horrors. It appraises the reactions of artists and writers and examines such topics as: war and the position of women; war and the black American; war and revolution in Russia and Germany; war and social attitudes, customs and conditions; Hitler's 'New Order'; the French Resistance; and it concludes by analysing the relationship between the Second World War and the movement towards European integration. The author's thematic approach - together with his use of archive film material - serves as a guide to new methodologies in historical study. The comparative approach illuminates both the manner in which war affects society, and also some of the characteristic differences and similarities in the various societies studied. Through drawing on social science, as well as on art, literature and music, Professor Marwick believes that written history must above all succeed as communication. His present study will be of particular value to students of twentieth-century history, of the history of war and of political sociology.

ARTHUR MARWICK is Professor of History at The Open University; he previously taught at the universities of Edinburgh and Aberdeen and at the State University of New York at Buffalo. His present book advances the important contribution to the study of the social effects of modern war initiated by The Deluge: British Society and th First World War (1965; Macmillan Student Editions, 1973) and continued by Britain in the Century of Total War (1968). His pioneering work in this field has received high praise. His other publications include The Explosion of British Society 1914-1970 (1963; Macmillan Student Editions, 1971) and The Nature of History, an Open University Set Book (1970; Macmillan Student Editions, 1970).

SKU	Unavailable
ISBN 13	9780333112489
ISBN 10	0333112482
Title	War and Social Change in the Twentieth Century
Author	Arthur Marwick
Condition	Unavailable
Binding Type	Paperback
Publisher	Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Year published	1974-01-01
Number of pages	272
Cover note	Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary.