France in the Enlightenment
Book Description
This comprehensive exploration of eighteenth-century France reveals how a society's deepest structures shape the daily experiences of its people. Daniel Roche crafts a vivid portrait of the Old Regime by examining the intricate web of institutions, customs, and beliefs that governed French life during this pivotal era.
Rather than focusing solely on political events or famous figures, Roche invites readers into the lived reality of ordinary French citizens. He maps the complex geography of social existence, showing how peasants, merchants, nobles, and royalty navigated their interconnected worlds. The author illuminates what he calls the "culture of appearances," revealing how social hierarchies expressed themselves through clothing, food, housing, and reading habits.
This detailed examination spans from bustling Parisian streets to quiet provincial villages, from grand public ceremonies to intimate domestic spaces. Roche demonstrates how ideas spread through society and how institutions actually functioned in practice, not just in theory. By understanding these patterns of daily life, readers gain insight into the forces that shaped human consciousness during a transformative period in European history.
For those interested in how social structures influence personal development and collective awareness, this work offers valuable perspective on the relationship between individual experience and broader cultural currents. The book provides a foundation for understanding how societies evolve and how people adapt to changing circumstances while maintaining their essential humanity.
Who Is This For?
📖 Reading Level: Long (> 400 pages) (~20 hours)
📄 Length: 723 pages
What You'll Discover
- ✓ Explore France, intellectual life
- ✓ Explore Political science
- ✓ Explore History
- ✓ Explore France, politics and government
- ✓ Explore Dc33.4.r61515 1998
- ✓ Explore Verlichting (cultuurgeschiedenis)
- ✓ Explore 944/.034
- ✓ Explore France, civilization
