David j sturdy eds (1 Ergebnisse)

Series: De diversis artibus, tome 83. 8vo. 1018 pp. 19 figs., index. Printed boards. Fine. Scarce. ISBN: 9782503528175 2503528171 "Christiane Demeulenaere-Douyere and David J. Sturdy have brought together a wonderful collection of primary sources that sheds light on a large number of topics pertaining to the history of science, political history of the Regency and early eighteenth-century economic history. It should be part of any university library that caters to readers of French. Ably edited, clearly presented and including nineteen pages of color illustrations, this work is a worthy addition (it is volume 46) to the Collection of Studies from the International Academy of the History of Science edited by Emmanuel Poulle and Robert Halleux. . . As should be expected, the reports vary in quantity and quality. Some go into great detail on commercial matters (Bordeaux) or pay particular attention to agriculture (Dijon, Languedoc). Others are fragmentary (Aix-en-Provence, Maubeuge, Moulins) or include a great deal of specific information about individuals (Paris); the labor process (Amiens, Lyon) or mining (Grenoble, Navarre, Tours). In some places, Reaumur played a greater role in prodding the intendants for more information (Moulins, Languedoc) or in asking specific questions from the start (Amiens). Some reports seem somewhat fanciful or just plain unreliable. In short, the level of detail, the subjects treated, and the implications of the questions both asked and answered varied widely, but there is literally something for almost everyone interested in these themes and this period somewhere in this volume." - Jeff Horn, book review, The Society for French Historical Studies, vol. 9, (2009), pp. 174-175.…