In 1688, Britain was successfully invaded, its army and navy unable to prevent the overthrow of the government. By 1815, Britain was the strongest power in the world with the most succesful navy and the largest empire. Britain had not only played a prominent role in the defeat of Napoleonic France, but had also established itself as a significant power in South Asia and was unsurpassed in her global reach. Her military strength was related to, and based on, one of the best systems of public finance in the world and held a strong trade position. This illustrated text assesses the military aspects of this shift, concentrating on the multi-faceted nature of the British military effort. Topics covered include: the rise of Britain; an analysis of military infrastructure; warfare in the British Isles; conventional warfare in Europe; trans-oceanic warfare with European powers; the challenge of America; and the challenge of Revolutionary and Napoleonic France.

Europe and the World, 1650-1830 is an important thematic study of the first age of globalisation. It surveys the interaction of Europe, Europe's growing colonies and other major global powers, such as the Ottoman Empire, China, India and Japan. Focusing on Europe's impact on the world, Jeremy Black analyses European attitudes, exploration, trade and acquisition of knowledge.

"Europe and the World, 1650-1830" is an important study of the first age of globalization. It surveys the interaction of Europe, Europe's growing colonies and other major global powers, such as the Ottoman Empire, China, India and Japan. Focusing on Europe's impact on the world, Jeremy Black analyses European attitudes, exploration, trade and acquisition of knowledge.
Stressing imperial defeats as well as victories, this book shows the vitality of non-European powers, and how the struggles during this period frequently involved cooperation between the great powers, as well as war. With an original approach that takes full notice of recent research, this book explores the differences between specific areas of European impact and also includes discussions on the impact of the outer world on the European imagination.

Much of the period 1661-1815 appeared to be the age of France. France was the greatest power in Western Europe in the late seventeenth and eighteenth centuries and Louis XIV and Napoleon seemed to dominate their periods.
yet when Louis XIV died in 1715, and again after Napoleon's attempt to resume power was defeated at Waterloo a century later, France appeared as a waning power. This failure in Europe was matched on the world scale. France was overtaken by Britain in the struggle for maritime predominance, and ended the period with her empire in ruins.
From Louis XIV to Napoleon is a scholarly yet accessible account which considers why France was not more successful and throws light on French history, international relations, warfare and the rise and fall of French power.