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Empire and Revolution: The Political Life of Edmund Burke

Richard BourkeSeptember 8, 2015

Princeton University Press

A major new account of one of the leading philosopher-statesmen of the eighteenth century

Edmund Burke (1730–97) lived during one of the most extraordinary periods of world history. He grappled with the significance of the British Empire in India, fought for reconciliation with the American colonies, and was a vocal critic of national policy during three European wars. He also advocated reform in Britain and became a central protagonist in the great debate on the French Revolution. Drawing on the complete range of printed and manuscript sources, Empire and Revolution offers a vivid reconstruction of the major concerns of this outstanding statesman, orator, and philosopher. In restoring Burke to his original political and intellectual context, this book overturns the conventional picture of a partisan of tradition against progress and presents a multifaceted portrait of one of the most captivating figures in eighteenth-century life and thought. A boldly ambitious work of scholarship, this book challenges us to rethink the legacy of Burke and the turbulent era in which he played so pivotal a role.

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About the author

Richard Bourke is professor of the history of political thought and a fellow of King's College, University of Cambridge.

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Additional Information

Publisher

Princeton University Press

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Published on

Sep 8, 2015

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Pages

1032

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ISBN

9781400873456

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Features

Flowing text, Original pages

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Best For

Web, Tablet, Phone, eReader

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Language

English

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Genres

Biography & Autobiography / Historical

Biography & Autobiography / Philosophers

Biography & Autobiography / Political

History / Europe / Great Britain / General

History / General

History / Social History

History / World

Philosophy / Political

Political Science / History & Theory

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