Unsteady Crowns

Why the World's Monarchies are Struggling for Survival

A.W. Purdue

$39.99

Paperback

In stock
Ready to ship

QTY:

English

HISTORY PRESS
01 April 2022

History; 20th century history: c 1900 to c 2000; Postwar 20th century history, from c 1945 to c 2000; Social & cultural history; Politics & government

This timely book looks at the role, survival and future of the institution of monarchy. At the beginning of the twentieth century, monarchy was by far the most common form of government: emperors sat on the thrones of Germany, Austria-Hungary, Persia, China, Russia and the Ottoman Empire, while there were kings of Bulgaria, Serbia, Italy, Romania, Greece, Korea and Cambodia. After he lost his throne in 1952, King Farouk of Egypt predicted that by the end of the century there would be only five kings: the kings of hearts, aces, clubs and spades, and the King of England. That prediction has not come true, for there remained monarchs across the globe. The number of monarchies has appreciably diminished, yet the idea continues to have allure. Here historian and academic A.W. Purdue explores the important role played by monarchies as agents of continuity, guarding and representing the national ethos, and brings the story up to date in a fully revised second edition, exploring the roles of celebrity and rivalry in monarchies worldwide. AUTHOR: The late A.W. Purdue was senior lecturer in history at the Open University. His other books include The Monarchy and the British People (Batsford, 1998) and The Civilisation of the Crowd: Popular Culture in England, 1750-1900 (Sutton Publishing, 1999). 35 b/w illustrations

By: A.W. Purdue
Imprint: HISTORY PRESS
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Edition: 2nd New edition
Dimensions: Height: 198mm, Width: 129mm,
ISBN: 9780750999328
ISBN 10: 0750999322
Pages: 368
Publication Date: 01 April 2022
Audience: General/trade , ELT Advanced
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Unspecified

The late A.W. Purdue was Reader in British History at the Open University. He was the author of sixteen books, including the histories of prominent North-East families. His book publications include The Monarchy and the British People (Batsford, 1998), The Civilisation of the Crowd: Popular Culture in England, 1750-1900 (Sutton Publishing, 1999) and Newcastle: The Biography (Amberley Publishing, 2011).