Switzerland: A Village History by David Birmingham (English) Paperback Book

Description: FREE SHIPPING UK WIDE Switzerland by David Birmingham Switzerland: A Village History is an account of an Alpine village that illuminates the broader history of Switzerland and its rural, local underpinnings. FORMAT Paperback LANGUAGE English CONDITION Brand New Publisher Description Switzerland: A Village History Is An Account of an Alpine village that illuminates the broader history of Switzerland and its rural, local underplanings. It begins with the colonization of the Alps by Romanized Celtic peoples who came from the plain to clear the wilderness, establish a tiny monastic house, and create a dairy economy that became famous for its cheeses. Over ten centuries the village, like the rest of Switzerland, went through the taumas of religious reformation and political revolution. A single currency, a unified postal service, and eventually an integrated army brought improved stability and prosperity to the union of two dozen small republics. Yet Switzerlands enduring foundation remains the three thousand boroughs to which the Swiss people feel they truly belong. In Switzerland: A Village History, distinguished scholar David Birmingham tells the story of his childhood village - Chareau-dOex - where records of cheesemaking date to 1828. The evolution of this ancient grazing and forest economy included the rise of the legal profession to keep track of complex deeds, grazing allotments, and animal rights-of-way.Switzerlands eventual privatization of communal grazing land drove many highlanders to emigrate to the European plains and overseas to the Americas. The twentieth century brought wealth from foreign tourism to Switzerland, punctuated by austerities imposed by Europes wars. Alpine peasants were integrated into Swiss union society and began at last to share in some of the prosperity flowing from urban industry. Switzerland: A Village History replaces the mythology and patriotic propaganda that too often have passed for Swiss history with a rigorous, insightful, and charming account of the daily life, small-scale rivalries, and local loyalties that actually made up Swiss history. Author Biography David Birmingham lived in Switzerland from 1947 to 1954 as a child and returned there in the 1990s as a visiting historian. From 1980 to 2001 he held the chair of Modern History in the University of Kent at Canterbury in England. He is the author of many books, including Portugal and Africa (see page 22). Review "An enthralling picture of the locality in its broader Swiss and international context. Birminghams mastery of the minutiae is coupled with an experienced understanding of the development of rural societies and of the complicated cultural, linguistic and political mix which was and is Switzerland. Vivid and delightful." * English Historical Review * Promotional Switzerland: A Village History is an account of an Alpine village that illuminates the broader history of Switzerland and its rural, local underpinnings. Review Quote "An enthralling picture of the locality in its broader Swiss and international context. Birminghams mastery of the minutiae is coupled with an experienced understanding of the development of rural societies and of the complicated cultural, linguistic and political mix which was and is Switzerland. Vivid and delightful." -- English Historical Review Details ISBN080401065X Author David Birmingham Short Title SWITZERLAND Publisher Ohio University Press Language English ISBN-10 080401065X ISBN-13 9780804010658 Media Book Format Paperback DEWEY 949.453 Illustrations Yes Birth 1968 Year 2004 Place of Publication Ohio Country of Publication United States Residence ENK Imprint Swallow Press Edition 1st New edition DOI 10.1604/9780804010658 AU Release Date 2004-06-29 NZ Release Date 2004-06-29 US Release Date 2004-06-29 UK Release Date 2004-06-29 Subtitle A Village History Pages 228 Publication Date 2004-06-29 Audience General We've got this At The Nile, if you're looking for it, we've got it. With fast shipping, low prices, friendly service and well over a million items - you're bound to find what you want, at a price you'll love! 30 DAY RETURN POLICY No questions asked, 30 day returns! FREE DELIVERY No matter where you are in the UK, delivery is free. SECURE PAYMENT Peace of mind by paying through PayPal and eBay Buyer Protection TheNile_Item_ID:161813966;

Price: 33.18 GBP

Location: London

End Time: 2025-01-03T13:48:00.000Z

Shipping Cost: 2.72 GBP