Eric Hobsbawm, The Age of Revolution: Europe, 1789-1848

Eric Hobsbawm, The Age of Revolution: Europe, 1789-1848 - This is the book in which Hobsbawn gets to put his Marxist views to the development of capitalism and the industrial revolution in Europe, a time period which must seem like a gift from the heavens to his school of historians. This book was assigned to me when I was doing an undergraduate history degree alongside works by E.P. Thompson and A.J.P. Taylor and was easily the most accessible and digestible of the three. Hobsbawm lays out major themes in politics, economics, culture and intellectual history clearly for the student and makes very rational and complete arguments, so long as the reader remains aware of his political leanings. This is a great overview of the period for A Level students and undergraduates tackling general European themes and as such is highly recommended.