Looking for European history ebooks

July 7, 2007 1:06 PM

I'm trying to find public domain ebooks on European history, particularly from the time of Louis XIV.

I heart ebooks, and I recently completed reading Thomas Babington Macaulay's The History of England from the Accession of James II (all five volumes). This has really awakened in me a thirst for more European history. Since the book ends with the death of King William III, I'm most interested in that time--especially for more in depth knowledge of Louis XIV and his wars and conquests.

Does anyone have any recommendations of free history ebooks? I've dug through Project Gutenberg, but without any reviews or blurbs, it's a little hard to figure out the scope of a book. I enjoy reading old history books because the attitudes of the author give a sort of meta-history of the time in which it was written, and because there are no modern political leanings to deal with. (And, also, because of being free, of course)

If you know Macaulay's work, then you can guess that I like the narrative style of history, with lots of detail and interpretation liberally provided. I'm most interested in the 17th century in Europe, but am also open to any good public domain history books from any region and time period.

Thanks!

posted by happyturtle to education (2 comments total)

Samuel Pepys is a 17th century english nobleman famous for his diary.
(link goes to Project Gutenberg ebook edition)

You can also find entries posted daily at Pepys' Diary.
posted by namewithoutwords at 5:13 PM on July 7, 2007

Rare Book Room lots of titles there.
posted by hortense at 6:27 PM on July 7, 2007