| The Duel in European History: Honour and the Reign of Aristocracy Contributor(s): Kiernan, Victor (Author), Blackbourn, David (Introduction by) |
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ISBN: 1783608382 ISBN-13: 9781783608386 Publisher: Zed Books OUR PRICE: $24.65 Product Type: Paperback - Other Formats Published: August 2016 |
| Additional Information |
| BISAC Categories: - Language Arts & Disciplines | Linguistics - General - Political Science | International Relations - General - History | Europe - General |
| Dewey: 394.809 |
| Physical Information: 0.8" H x 5.3" W x 8.4" (0.95 lbs) 368 pages |
| Descriptions, Reviews, Etc. |
| Publisher Description: For centuries, duelling played an integral role in the preservation of the aristocratic order in Europe, defying attempts by both church and state to ban the practice. Moreover, the romance and drama of the duel has made it an enduring fixture in films, literature, and the theatre. In The Duel in European History, renowned historian Victor Kiernan writes with his characteristic wit and insight of duelling's evolution from its medieval origins - when it was regarded as a badge of rank - to the early twentieth century, by which time it was seen as an irrational anachronism. In doing so, he shows how the duelling tradition was something unique to Europe and its colonies, and, in its contribution to the development of the officer corps, played a key part in shaping European military power. Drawing on a vast range of historical and cultural sources, this is the definitive account of a violent ritual that continues to fascinate even today. |
Contributor Bio(s): Kiernan, Victor: - Victor Kiernan (1913-2009) was one of Britain's most distinguished historians and the author of The Lords of Human Kind, European Empires from Conquest to Collapse, and Shakespeare: Poet and Citizen, among many others. |
