Peter N. Stearns - Encyclopedia of European Social History (2001).jpg
 | Peter N. Stearns - Encyclopedia of European Social History (2001).jpg
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Since the 1929 publication of the French journal Annales, social history has gradually become a dominant area of investigation. The social history "paradigm" emphasizes an eclectic study of social processes, popular culture, period "mentalities," revealed where possible by quantitative methodology. Well-known authors, such as Ferdnand Braudel (The Mediterranean and the Mediterranean World in the Age of Philip II, 1972) and E.P. Thompson (The Making of the English Working Class, 1963), have now given way to a bewildering complex of subjects, style, method, and period. The great value of this encyclopedia is to consolidate much of this work in some 209 articles organized in 23 sections. The style is generally clear, and the content is comprehensive. The European emphasis reflects the interests and work of scholars who have produced much social history. Some readers may find the balance of the work somewhat curious, e.g., "Catholicism" in the "Religion" section receives about as much attention as "Animals and Pets" in the "Everyday Life" section. Omissions can also be odd, as in the biography section, which includes Tolstoy but not Dostoyevsky and Mozart but not Beethoven. Finally, maps are not adequate to the needs of the articles, but the illustrations are extensive. Despite these drawbacks, this is a very useful reference. The section on methodology makes an excellent, if indirect, case for social history itself, and overall the treatment of conceptual subjects such as regionalism, periodization, and urbanization will be of particular use to students. Most authors are solidly established scholars, and some, like Charles and Louise Tilly, Emil Niederhauser, and Jeremy Black, are exceptionally prolific. Recommended for academic and larger public libraries.
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