Convergence or Divergence?: Britain and the Continent

'Jeremy Black has written an important essay on this theme.

He is a distinguished historian of the 18th century, but has done a geat deal of work in covering the better part of two millennia.

Since he writes very well, this book could become a little classic.' - Norman Stone, Times;Relations with Continental Europe have been a central issue in British history.

Several crucial questions can be identified: first, how similar or dissimilar was Britain, to other European countries in respect of its economy and political culture?;secondly, how far can similarity and difference be understood in terms of convergence and divergence, or of roughly parallel tracks reflecting and sustaining longstanding differences?;thirdly, did British people feel themselves to be Europeans?;fourthly did the British people take an informed and sympathetic interest in what was happening on the Continent, or did their ignorance of Europe lead to insularity and xenophobia?;and fifthly, to what extent was the British stage, and Britain as a whole involved in the affairs of Europe, diplomatically, militarily, economically, culturally?

This wide-ranging, thoughtful and provocative study tackles these questions