Tuvo momentos que particularmente no me interesaron. El mismo autor reconoce este es un periodo mucho más estable que el de la era de la revolución. Quizás por la búsqueda forzada de dimensiones que analizar, aquí se pierde un poco el orden simple del tomo anterior. Pero aún así, tremendo libro y recopilación.
Nunca deja de sorprender la amplitud de conocmiento que podía llegar a conservar Eric Hobsbawm.

Hobsbawm is the gold standard in writing history, for my money. Endlessly fascinating, erudite, and insightful. Another classic.

no thoughts as of yet, other than this: 'progress' should never be invoked without qualification. the question should always come 'towards what?'

no one writes continental history better

A little less fun/satisfying than the first volume although the events are objectively less dramatic so I guess that’s to be expected, and quality of writing remains high.
Even so, where the last volume was so revelatory in terms of watching the formation of our modern political and economic systems/ideas, this one was fascinating in terms of seeing the formation our social/cultural ideas.

The Chapter on the bourgeoisie was especially interesting. For instance, their appreciation for temperance and association of alcoholism with the poor, reminded me of modern bourgeois craze of wellness, and Whole Foods, and association of fast food, poor diet etc with the low income people. Then as now there is some truth to both, but not because of inherent bourgeois cultural superiority, but once again economic strain, and unequal distribution of resources (nightmare working conditions then, food deserts etc now)

Chapter on Science was a highlight as well, cuz here we see the origins of the STEM obsession and the bogus race and cultural science that feed the noxious fever dreams of Right wing shit heads. For instance you can see echoes of 19th century criminal anthropology in criticisms of Rap, Black youth Culture.

DIFFERENT CENTURY SAME FUCKIN PROBLEMS