Louis Xiv

In this concise, up-to-date analysis of Louis XIV and France in its great age of cultural achievement, David Sturdy penetrates beneath the well-known events, personalities and images of the reign to gain an understanding of the historical forces and realities with which Louis XIV and France had to contend. He presents a carefully organized and lucid account of the "defining" aspects of the reign: the nature of French monarchy, methods of government, Louis' relationship to his subjects and to the churches, the organization of cultural life, and France's relations with the rest of Europe.

An up-to-date analysis of Louis XIV in his relationship to his kingdom and Europe which raises some of the major historiographical issues being debated by present-day historians.

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Analyzing Louis (1643-1715) and the France he ruled in its great age of cultural achievement, Sturdy (history, U. of Ulster- Coleraine) focuses on the historical forces and realities with which they had to contend rather than on surface events. He looks at the nature of French monarchy, the methods of government, Louis' relationship to his subjects and to the churches, the organization of cultural life, and France's relationship with the rest of Europe. Paper edition (unseen), $19.95. Annotation c. by Book News, Inc., Portland, Or.

David J. Sturdy is Senior Lecturer of History at the University of Ulster.