Cambridge Library Collection - European History
2 primary works • 6 total works
Volume 1
Henry Vizetelly (1820-94), whose two-volume Glances Back through Seventy Years is also reissued in this collection, was an English journalist based in Paris during the Franco-Prussian War, which concluded with the downfall of Napoleon III and the end of the second French Empire. First published in 1882, this is the first in a two-volume collection of his writings during this turbulent period. He vividly recounts his experiences of the Germans' devastating siege of Paris, setting it within a military, political and economic context. He argues that the outcome would have been less severe had the French army been better prepared, and shows how attempts to provision the capital ahead of the Prussian advance were thwarted by malnourished cattle and blocked transport links, resulting in near-starvation among the besieged. Providing a judicious narrative of a significant period in France's history, Vizetelly's eye-witness account remains of great interest.
Volume 2
Henry Vizetelly (1820-94), whose two-volume Glances Back through Seventy Years is also reissued in this collection, was an English journalist based in Paris during the Franco-Prussian War, which concluded with the downfall of Napoleon III and the end of the second French Empire. First published in 1882, this is the second in a two-volume collection of his writings during this turbulent period. Describing the effects of the blockade of Paris on the civilian population as well as the army, he praises the continuing bravery of the French even in the face of inevitable defeat. In an interesting epilogue, he holds the French General Trochu's 'frivolous' approach accountable for the fall of Paris to the much better led Prussian army. Caricatures of the day depicted Trochu as a donkey restraining the lions of the French army - an image which was used again to great effect during the First World War.
In the wake of German unification in 1871, Berlin became a place of increased interest to the other nations of Europe. The journalist Henry Vizetelly (1820-94) made his first journey to the capital of the new empire in 1872. Based on observations from a series of visits, this two-volume work presents a witty and detailed portrait of the city and its inhabitants. In Volume 1, Vizetelly describes travelling to Berlin and his mixed first impressions. He sketches a brief history of the city and its development from the thirteenth century onwards, and in a series of essay-style chapters he discusses aspects of Berlin culture and society - including dinner-party etiquette - as well as political and military personalities. Illustrated with hundreds of engravings from designs by German artists, the work first appeared in 1879. Vizetelly's Paris in Peril (1882) and Glances Back Through Seventy Years (1893) are also reissued in this series.
In the wake of German unification in 1871, Berlin became a place of increased interest to the other nations of Europe. The journalist Henry Vizetelly (1820-94) made his first journey to the capital of the new empire in 1872. Based on observations from a series of visits, this two-volume work presents a witty and detailed portrait of the city and its inhabitants. In Volume 1, Vizetelly sketches a brief history of the city and its development from the thirteenth century. Chapters explore aspects of Berlin culture and society as well as political and military personalities. Topics covered in Volume 2 include the Prussian Landtag, the Reichstag, places of education, palaces, churches and museums, and restaurants, cafes and beer gardens. Illustrated with hundreds of engravings from designs by German artists, the work first appeared in 1879. Vizetelly's Paris in Peril (1882) and Glances Back through Seventy Years (1893) are also reissued in this series.
In the wake of German unification in 1871, Berlin became a place of increased interest to the other nations of Europe. The journalist Henry Vizetelly (1820-94) made his first journey to the capital of the new empire in 1872. Based on observations from a series of visits, this two-volume work presents a witty and detailed portrait of the city and its inhabitants. The topics covered in Volume 2 include the Prussian Landtag, the Reichstag, Berlin's places of education, its palaces, churches and museums, and its restaurants, cafes and beer gardens. Chapters on theatre, music, satire and socialism give a vivid sense of the cultural and political zeitgeist. Illustrated with hundreds of engravings from designs by German artists, the work first appeared in 1879. Vizetelly's Paris in Peril (1882) and Glances Back through Seventy Years (1893) are also reissued in this series.
Henry Vizetelly (1820-94), whose two-volume Glances Back through Seventy Years is also reissued in this collection, was an English journalist based in Paris during the Franco-Prussian War, which concluded with the downfall of Napoleon III and the end of the second French Empire. First published in 1882, this illustrated two-volume collection of his writings during this turbulent period vividly recounts his experiences of the devastating siege of Paris, setting it within a military, political and economic context. The severe famine during the siege was exacerbated by a lack of forward planning by the French and their inability to build up food supplies before the city was encircled. He describes life during the siege, and recalls the continuing bravery of the French even in the face of inevitable defeat by the Prussian army. Providing an eye-witness account of a significant period in France's history, Vizetelly's works remain of great interest.