Much of the book is devoted to providing the first in-depth scholarly description of these avowedly urban institutions.

The London Journal

This is Peter Clark's most impressive book to date. It charts with magisterial authority the emergence of that peculiarly British institution, the (usually) male club from its origins in the seventeenth century to its full flowering in the mid- to late eighteenth century.

The London Journal

... examines every type of assocation ranging from political, philanthropic, cultural and artistic associations to professional assocations and Masonic lodges.

The Journal of European Economic History

Se alle

Clark's book represents a major contribution to recent debates about the nature of eighteenth-century British society ... this is a most valuable addition to the literature on urban society in the British Isles and English-speaking parts of its empire in the eighteenth century. It is not just historians of Britain who will want to read it and reflect on its many important conclusions.

Journal of Early Modern History

The analysis is clear, judicious, and always respectful of the sometimes contradictory patterns and evidence ... enormously richly documented and frequently very diverting. Clark offers readers many wonderful snapshots of the joys, distractions, and pitfalls of club life in this period.

Journal of Early Modern History

An informative, analytical and well-written book ... contains several findings of prime importance ... Clark's convincing interpretation is based on a genuinely historical understanding of eighteenth century societies.

Scandinavian Economic History Review

A magisterial survey ... Drawing on his impressive knowledge of the scattered source material, Clark gives a comprehensive picture of British and, in some cases, colonial clubs and societies, their overall development, organizational structures, and membership patterns from the late sixteenth century to 1800.

German Historical Institute Bulletin

In this prodigiously well packed, engrossing, and important book, Peter Clark claims a new significance for the swarming world of voluntary associations as a vital social resource in Britain's passage to modernity.

The Journal of American History

More than enough to guarantee this book an important place in future bibliographies.

Leslie Mitchell, Times Literary Supplement

This is, in almost every respect, a very fine book.

Frank Field, The Independent

British Clubs and Societies bears the stamp of authority: it covers a constellation of clubs, and provides a persuasive account of their development.

Roy Porter, London Review of Books

Modern freemasonry was invented in London about 1717, but was only one of a surge of British associations in the early modern era which had originated before the English Revolution. By 1800, thousands of clubs and societies had swept the country. Recruiting widely from the urban affluent classes, mainly amongst men, they traditionally involved heavy drinking, feasting, singing, and gambling. They ranged from political, religious and scientific societies, artistic and literary clubs, to sporting societies, bee keeping, and birdfancying clubs, and a myriad of other associations.
Les mer
This book provides an account of the rise of social institutions in Georgian Britain: the British clubs and societies, thousands of which had swept the country by 1800. Ranging from freemasonry to bird-fancying, the author considers the reasons for their development, their export to America and the colonies, and examines their long-term impact.
Les mer
Introduction ; Emergence: to 1688 ; National Expansion: 1688-1760 ; An Associational World: 1760-1800 ; Engines of Growth ; Membership ; Organization ; Regional and Ethnic Societies ; Freemasons ; Benefit Clubs ; Overseas ; Impact ; Conclusion
Les mer
`The detailed picture that Clark provides about societies, associations and clubs in Great Britain from the sixteenth to the nineteenth century goes beyond what may at first appear as a history of fashions and customs.' Ludovica de Courten, Ministry for Heritage and Cultural Activities, Rome `a most valuable book which ought to be the start and not the end of several arguments.' BJECS 24.2 `This book makes a substantial contribution to the understanding of eighteenth-century society and of the history of voluntary associations.' BJECS 24.2 `Unlike governamnets and great estates, bird-fancying clubs and oratorical societies do not often tend to leave meticulously kept an dcarefully housed sets of records. The author has perforce had to fall back on the scraps and fragments provided in diaries, collections of letters and old newspaper columns. These scattered sources he has scoured with impeccale industry and care. His findings, too, have been beautifully arranged and lucidly written down. This volume will surely for long remain the authorative treatment of the subject - in every way a worthy successor to Clark's now classic study of the English alehouse.' Angus Mcinnes, University of Keele. `British Clubs and Societies bears the stamp of authority: it covers a constellation of clubs, and provides a persuasive account of their development.' Roy Porter, London Review of Books, 22nd June, 00. `a characteristically fact-packed but thoughtful study.' Roy Porter, London Review of Books, 22nd June, 00. `This is, in almost every respect, a very fine book.' Frank Field, The Independent `more than enough to guarantee this book an imprtant place in future bibliographies.' Leslie Mitchell, TLS
Les mer

Produktdetaljer

ISBN
9780198203766
Publisert
2000
Utgiver
Vendor
Oxford University Press
Vekt
868 gr
Høyde
225 mm
Bredde
144 mm
Dybde
33 mm
Aldersnivå
P, 06
Språk
Product language
Engelsk
Format
Product format
Innbundet
Antall sider
534

Forfatter