Synopsis
In his generous and precisely argued historical overview, Philip Blom traces the big changes that occurred in the early part of the 20th century as the Victorian world gave way to the modern age. Novelist-historian Blom removes World War I from center stage, as he traces the developments in society and culture in Europe year by year up to World War I. The violence of that war had its precursor in colonial butcheries and ethnic intolerance; Blom shows how the media stoked the public's suspicion of foreigners, and how Europe was already experiencing a crisis of confidence. He also explores how feminism and psychoanalysis began to take root. One comes away from THE VERTIGO YEARS with an understanding that the 20th century really did begin in 1901, not, as some histories have it, with the end of WW I.
| Details | | Publication Date: | 2008-10-20 |
| Size | | Length: | 466 pages | | Height: | 9.5 in | | Width: | 6.5 in | | Thickness: | 1.2 in | | Weight: | 28.8 oz |
Publisher's Note
Offers a look at how the changes from the Industrial Revolution prior to World War I brought about radical transformation in society that resulted in a new world order, changes in education, and massive migration in population that led to one of the bloodiest events in history in later years.
Industry Reviews
"Bloom is a superb writer who wisely unfolds his story year by year...."
(10/15/2008)
"The book's strength is also its charm--a multifaceted, panoramic approach animated by vivacious narration of individual stories..."
(01/05/2009)
"[A] captivating depiction of an age of rapidity. Blom's achievement in THE VERTIGO YEARS is to inhabit the desires and anxieties of people hurtling forward towards an abyss, with little knowledge of what lies ahead."
(02/02/2009)
"[Blom] brings an appealing energy and curiosity, and occasional humor, to his subject....[He] has been remarkably successful at synthesizing a wide range of material, creating a panorama of the whole of European culture during this frantic time--and not just high culture, but the transformation of everyday life by revolutions in sex, shopping, science, and sociology."
(04/30/2009)
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