In this second volume of the History of France series, Emmanuel Le Roy Ladurie provides a masterful account of the early modern period combining a compelling narrative with broad analysis of events and wider comparisons with European history.

Emmanuel Le Roy Ladurie is the author of numerous books - including the immensely successful Montaillouand Carnival - and many articles. He is a researcher with a high international reputation, and the diversity of his work and range of his publications have made him one of the foremost specialists on France's monarchical period.