- Title: A Political and Cultural History of Modern Europe, Volume 1
- Author: Carlton J. H. Hayes
- Publisher: The Macmillan Company
- Estimated year of printing: 1948
Notes:
Copyright 1916, 1932
References many revised versions, the latest being July 1948
Ex Libris: Paul Hayes, 70 Bolton Street, Marlboro, Mass
Several instances of ephemera between pages:
- Newspaper clipping: Photo of President de Faulle of France at John F. Kennedy’s funeral
- Postcard, invitation of A. A. T. F. Rappel, in January/March 1981
- Torn piece of paper being used a a bookmark, “Bigelow Audition… Marlborough Public [Library]…. 35 West Main St… Marlborough, Massachusetts
This book covers the history of Europe from 1500 through 1830. A second volume picks up the story from there. It looks like it could be a textbook, but when you open it, you find that it is actually written in a fairly narrative style — not something intended for quickly looking up information, but rather something to sit and read. It’s a high-quality book with an attractive presentation, with a high quality binding, decorated spine, and full of illustrations and maps.
Carlton J. H. Hayes (1882 – 1964) was a prominent American historian, educator, and diplomat. He was influenced by the concept of “New History”, which emphasized the important of cultural economic developments rather than just warfare and diplomacy. This book is a representation of that approach. During World War I he served at the rank of captain in the United States Military Intelligence Division, and during World War II he served as ambassador to Spain.
This book also contains several interesting things tucked between the pages. One is a newspaper clipping from John F. Kennedy’s funeral, showing French President Charles De Gaulle. On the reverse side of the clipping is the beginning of a new story headlined “Jacqueline Compliments News Corps”, covering Kennedy’s window’s appreciation for how his death and funeral were covered. This reverse side also contains a piece of a photograph of Queen Frederika of Greece placing a wreath at the funeral. This only a piece of the newspaper, I wish there was more — but it is a great piece of history, nonetheless.
There is also a postcard sent to the owner of this book Paul Hayes, about the American Association of Teachers of French convention to be help in January and March 1981 in Boston, postmarked in December 1980. Additionally there’s a piece of paper being used as a bookmark that appears to reference a concert or auditions being held at the Bigelow Auditorium at the Marlborough Public Library. These items all make sense, as Paul Hayes was a long-time French and Spanish teacher in Framingham, and also member of the Assabet Valley Master Singers. He died in 2011.
Historical context:
When this book was printed in 1948, Harry Truman was President, and was the year that the U.S. Army became desegregated. World War II had ended just a few years earlier in 1945 and the Roswell UFO crash occurred in 1947.