examines all the major themes, personalities and issues of this important period in a clear and digestible form. It: * introduces fresh angles to long-studied topics * consolidates a great body of recent research * analyses views of different historians * offers an interpretive rather than narrative approach * gives concise treatment to complex issues * is directly relevant to student questions and courses * is carefully organised to reflect the way teachers tackle these courses * is illustrated with helpful maps, charts, illustrations and photographs.