The discovery of... Upper Silesia?

July 17, 2009 8:19 AM

Having devoured "The Discovery of France", where should I look next?

I really enjoyed Graham Robb's book for its evocation of the lives of ordinary people in provincial France, but he doesn't spend much time contrasting the French experience with those of other countries.

So which social histories would you recommend for the rest of Europe? Where can I discover Spain, Germany, or Russia ?

posted by doiheartwentyone to writing & language (4 comments total)

For France, don't miss "Peasants Into Frenchmen" by Eugen Weber.

The History of Everyday Life by Alf Ludtke

The Mediterranean and the Mediterranean World in the Age of Phillp II Vol. 1
by Ferdinand Braudel.

Centuries of Childhood by Philipe Aries.

I could go on and on.
posted by Ironmouth at 9:05 AM on July 17 [2 favorites]

Please do :-)
posted by doiheartwentyone at 9:24 AM on July 17

The books of Timothy Neat feature fantastic insight into the history and traditions of Scottish people - oral histories, songs, forgotten traditions and lost communities. This is a good one to start with.

"The Discovery of France" was by far the best book I read last year, I've been meaning to ask a question like this.
posted by fire&wings at 10:49 AM on July 17

For France also (Languedoc, really), Emmanuel Le Roy Ladurie's Montaillou and The Peasants of Languedoc.
posted by Monday, stony Monday at 9:18 PM on July 17