John Holland Rose

Nationality in Modern History John Holland Rose

The author of the Development of European Nations has done us a distinct service in bringing his wide and accurate knowledge of recent history to bear upon one of the most vital and distinctive features of modern European civilization. How nation is distinguished from state, and how racial, linguistic and religious bonds work both with and against the bond of government is a problem not easily grasped by the uninitiated, and yet its solution lies at the very basis of an understanding of the present European situation. Mr. Rose tells us that it is his aim to study "the varied manifestations of nationality among the chief European peoples" and the ten lectures which comprise the volume constitute a remarkably complete review of modern history from that point of approach. (...) On the whole Mr. Rose's volume is a very scholarly bird's-eye view of modern European history with the emphasis on nationality, its various origins and developments. There is, moreover, quite a bit of political philosophy thrown in, and some interesting prophecies are made of two possible types of peace and their attendant results. To students of history the book will prove a helpful review of familiar facts and their bearing on that topic of special interest at present, nationality and war. To those less well acquainted with Europe's past, Nationality in Modern History presents an opportunity to acquire a knowledge of facts essential to an intelligent consideration of present conditions and future developments, - facts given in a most interesting style and, as the author expresses it, in "an objective and impartial a treatment as present conditions admit." - Mary Lee Hickman, The American Political Science Review, Vol. 10, No. 4, pp. 795-797.