This volume's juxtaposition of the empires of Germany and France in 1806, at the dissolution of The Holy Roman Empire, allows a comparison of their transition towards modernity, explored through the themes of Empire, monarchy, political cultures, feudalism, war and military institutions, nationalism and identity, and everyday experience.

Peter H. Wilson is GF Grant Professor of History at the University of Hull, UK. He co-edits the Studies in European History series, and specialises in early modern German History.