"and what about the common people?"

"Imagine kings ruling without subjects, generals waging war without soldiers, or businesspeople making profits without workers. It's hard to take seriously any such silly situations, right? Yet, history is often written as if rulers, war leaders and moneymakers are the only people in society or, at least, the only people who matter. The current author dissents from this idea. It will be argued in this book that the common people matter and that their history matters. That is to say, the commoners' role in history is an integral, yet lacking, part of the story pf modern Europe, that has too often been passed over. History allows us to see how societies develop and change while it points to various possible futures. It is the story of people struggling, often in dark times."

"This book provides an alternative reading of European history starting with the Middle Ages. Instead of focusing on only the traditional themes and concerns that emphasize the rulers, this title highlights the dissidents, rebels, and radicals who helped make Europe what it is. Most books focus on a rather conventional narrative with, more recently, a section on women or peasants included to add diversity. The average reader is in no doubt however as to who and what is important. That is, the rich and powerful are not only the most important subjects of serious study - they are typically the only worthwhile subjects of study."

Από την εισαγωγή ενός ΠΟΛΥ ενδιαφέροντος βιβλίου που δύο αγαπημένοι φίλοι - παλιοί μου μεταπτυχιακοί αγόρασαν στο Liberal Books και μου το έφεραν δώρο για τη γιορτή μου:

William A. Pelz, A People's History of Modern Europe, PlutoPress 2016