Europe’s Uncertain Path 1814-1914 by R.S. Alexander

Europe’s Uncertain Path 1814-1914 by R.S. Alexander – State Formation and Civil Society – is one of the books I was recommended for European History at University. It is well written and I’ve enjoyed reading it. As the subject is not exactly easy, I don’t think it would make its way on reading lists, unless you also are studying this period of history.

Europe's Uncertain Path 1814-1914 by R.S. Alexander

Alexander takes into consideration and presents social, economic, and cultural changes too. The book is written with the aim of helping students learn more about European history. Thus, the book is filled with lots of details and facts. This is one of the books the students need to read to understand the period better, mainly because it is so complicated, and so many things have happened in these 100 years, from mass politics as more and more men got the right to vote to the aftermath of the revolutions. The 19th century has a tumultuous history, which led to an arms race, the founding new ideologies like Marxism and nationalism. Furthermore, everyday life changed for people as industry evolved in most European countries at that time.

The book contains very useful maps, a few illustrations, and tables with information. For me, this book was good, hence my 5 stars rating. But, as I mentioned earlier, I don’t see it having a wide public appeal.

Europe’s Uncertain Path 1814-1914 by R.S. Alexander

Details about the picture: I used my Oxford University mug as a prop.
My rating: 5/5 Stars
Would I recommend it: yes, for students
Published by: Wiley-Blackwell
Year it was published: 2012
Format: Paperback
Genre(s): History
Pages: 356

About the author: Robert Alexander is Professor of History at the University of Victoria, Canada.
Other books by Alexander: Napoleon; Re-Writing the French Revolutionary Tradition; Bonapartism and Revolutionary Tradition in France: The Fédérés of 1815.
Website & Social Media Links: –



1 thought on “Europe’s Uncertain Path 1814-1914 by R.S. Alexander”

  • That’s a timeframe for which I know far more about American history than European, or at least the middle part of that century (American Civil War).
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