The Ordeal of Elizabeth Marsh - Linda Colley
The Ordeal of Elizabeth Marsh: A Woman in World History - Linda Colley
Non-Fiction
Pages: 400
In and of herself Elizabeth Marsh has little historical significance. She was not married to or related to any important historical figures; she played no major role in any wars, catastrophes, scandals, elections; her travels in Europe, North Africa and India, whilst unusual for a woman in her age, were not especially ground-breaking; in short, she has left little imprint on history. So why is she the subject of this book?
As Linda Colley herself argues, Elizabeth Marsh lived in and was affected by a number of momentous and far-reaching global historical developments - the rise of the British Empire, the Seven Years War, the American Revolution, the slave trade, the rise of globalization and interconnected world markets - all of which on their own are so large and momentous as to be almost beyond analysis except in abstract and almost Olympian terms. Taking this approach can encompass the bigger picture but it necessarily excludes the intimate human dimension.
Few of us think of our lives in terms of global events and developments - our own personal worldviews are too narrow and limited to see much beyond our own small sphere, but that doesn't mean we aren't profoundly and irremediably affected nonetheless. Elizabeth Marsh's life allows us to see the impact of eighteenth century historical developments on that micro level, of how far-distant world events could determine the course of the life of one woman and her extended family, caught up in events beyond their control and understanding.
I found this an interesting read, one that held my attention throughout. Elizabeth Marsh rarely comes across as little more than a cipher - there is too little historical trace of her as an individual to really get a sense of her personality - but it is as a cipher for larger issues that is the main purpose of this book. In that sense, it is not really about Elizabeth Marsh at all.
Non-Fiction
Pages: 400
In and of herself Elizabeth Marsh has little historical significance. She was not married to or related to any important historical figures; she played no major role in any wars, catastrophes, scandals, elections; her travels in Europe, North Africa and India, whilst unusual for a woman in her age, were not especially ground-breaking; in short, she has left little imprint on history. So why is she the subject of this book?
As Linda Colley herself argues, Elizabeth Marsh lived in and was affected by a number of momentous and far-reaching global historical developments - the rise of the British Empire, the Seven Years War, the American Revolution, the slave trade, the rise of globalization and interconnected world markets - all of which on their own are so large and momentous as to be almost beyond analysis except in abstract and almost Olympian terms. Taking this approach can encompass the bigger picture but it necessarily excludes the intimate human dimension.
Few of us think of our lives in terms of global events and developments - our own personal worldviews are too narrow and limited to see much beyond our own small sphere, but that doesn't mean we aren't profoundly and irremediably affected nonetheless. Elizabeth Marsh's life allows us to see the impact of eighteenth century historical developments on that micro level, of how far-distant world events could determine the course of the life of one woman and her extended family, caught up in events beyond their control and understanding.
I found this an interesting read, one that held my attention throughout. Elizabeth Marsh rarely comes across as little more than a cipher - there is too little historical trace of her as an individual to really get a sense of her personality - but it is as a cipher for larger issues that is the main purpose of this book. In that sense, it is not really about Elizabeth Marsh at all.