Title
Conserving The Enlightenment: French Military Engineering From Vauban To The Revolution (Transformations),Used
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A Study Of French Military Engineers At A Crucial Point In The Evolution Of Modern Engineering.The Origins Of The Modern Science Of Engineering Can Be Traced To France'S Royal Corps Of Engineering In The Eighteenth Century. In Conserving The Enlightenment, Janis Langins Gives Us A History Of This Prototypical Technical Bureaucracy, Using As His Point Of Entry A Pivotal Dispute On The Respective Merits Of Two Methods Of Engineering Military Fortifications. The Story He Tells Of The Tribulations Of Military Engineers At The End Of The Old Regime Sheds Light Not Only On The Evolution Of Modern Engineering But Also On The Difficulty Of Innovation In A Technical Bureaucracy.From The Days Of Louis Xiv And His Great Military Engineer Vauban, Engineers In France Had A Reputation For Competence And Intellectual Superiority. (This Respect For Engineers Survived The Revolution; Two Engineers Sat On The New Republic'S Ruling Committee Of Public Safety With Robespierre.) Langins Argues That French Engineers Saw Themselves As Men Of The Enlightenment, With A Steadfast Faith In Science And Its Positive Effects On Society; They Believed That Their Profession Could Improve And Civilize Even Warfare. When Marcrene, Marquis De Montalembert, A Cavalry Officer And An Amateur Engineer, Challenged The Prevailing Wisdom With A New Method Of Fortification, The Subsequent Factional Struggle Became A Crucible Of Selfdefinition For The Profession. In The End, Langins Shows, Vauban'S Science Won Out Over Montalembert'S Inspiration, Reinforcing And Predicting The Essentially Conservative Nature Of French Engineering.
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- Q: What is the main topic of 'Conserving the Enlightenment'? A: 'Conserving the Enlightenment' explores the history of French military engineers during the eighteenth century, particularly focusing on their role in the evolution of modern engineering and military fortifications.
- Q: Who is the author of the book? A: The book is authored by Janis Langins.
- Q: What is the publication date of this book? A: 'Conserving the Enlightenment' was published on January 1, 2003.
- Q: How many pages does the book contain? A: The book contains 568 pages.
- Q: What is the condition of the book? A: The book is listed in 'Very Good' condition.
- Q: What type of binding does the book have? A: This book is available in hardcover binding.
- Q: What are the key themes discussed in the book? A: Key themes include the technological advancements in military engineering, the influence of Enlightenment thinking on engineers, and the internal conflicts within the engineering profession in France.
- Q: Is there any specific method of fortification discussed in the book? A: Yes, the book discusses a pivotal dispute between traditional methods of fortification, exemplified by Vauban, and innovative approaches proposed by Marc-Rene, marquis de Montalembert.
- Q: What significance does the author attribute to French engineers in the Enlightenment? A: The author argues that French engineers viewed themselves as representatives of the Enlightenment, believing in the power of science to improve society and warfare.
- Q: What historical period does the book focus on? A: The book focuses on the period leading up to the French Revolution, highlighting the role of military engineers during the Old Regime.