A broad-stroke treatment arranged thematically rather than chronologically or nationally. Black (history, U. of Exeter) has revised his 1990 edition throughout and added new chapters on Europe and the wider world, and on the Revolutionary crisis. His topics include disease and death, economy, commerce, society, the role of town, the church, religion, medicine, and culture. Four maps are the only illustration. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)