There's a real culture against having intellectuals in politics, I think that's why.

It's worse in the States - the main reason Bush is President is because people look at him struggling to eat a pretzel or string two extant words together in the correct order and think 'I can relate to that', so they vote for him. I suppose the same thing happens here with Prescott, to an extent.

So much happens after 1789, you're right - the "long 19th century" from 1789 to 1914 is really captivating. It's well worth studying the history of 19th century France - the first 'modern' society with the first 'modern' city - if you haven't already, btw - it's just as interesting as British history of the time ...

Posted By: Ottosson Foxtrot, Oct 2, 23:40:05