Lukowski, The European Nobility In The Eighteenth Century

Abstract

As the title suggests, this book offers readers an exhaustive history of the customs, beliefs, rituals, and mores of the European nobility in the eighteenth century. The book has much to recommend it. For one, it is organized thematically, with each chapter addressing a particular aspect of noble life, from marriage, to economics, to education, to inheritance. By eschewing a chronological format, Professor Lukowski is able to present the history of the European nobility in a much more comprehensive and diverse fashion, giving the reader a fascinating glimpse into the everyday life of Europe. For another, the author considers nobility as a European wide phenomenon and in doing so he is able to demonstrate the notion that the institution of "nobility" was not a static one and varied greatly across the European continent, particularly between East and West.