In the thirty years covered by this work, Eustope underwent a rapid succession of political and social changes: France passed from the July monarchy to the Second Empire, the Paris commune, and the Third Republic; Cavour and Garibaldi redrew the map of Italy; and Bismarck's abuse of national fervor filled the almanacs with prophecies of doom. Yes J.A.S. Grenville shows that this period, when viewed in the wider setting of what followed, was comparatively civilized. Those who ruled were not tyrants oblivious to considerations of human decency, but strove to improve the lot of the people whom they belived they were best equipped to govern.