BOOK BRIEF

Nations and Nationalism

Ernest Gellner
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Nations and Nationalism

Nonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 1983

Book Brief

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Ernest Gellner

Nations and Nationalism

Nonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 1983
Book Details
Pages

170

Format

Book • Nonfiction

Setting

1980s

Publication Year

1983

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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Super Short Summary

In Nations and Nationalism, Ernest Gellner explores the development of nations and nationalism, emphasizing their roles as products of modernization. He discusses how industrial society's needs for cultural homogeneity and communication foster the formation of nations, contrasting them with older social structures. Gellner argues that nationalism serves a unifying function, aligning culture with the state.

Informative

Contemplative

Challenging

Reviews & Readership

4.1

1,701 ratings

66%

Loved it

26%

Mixed feelings

7%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

Ernest Gellner's Nations and Nationalism is lauded for its deep analysis of nationalism's emergence, rooted in industrial society's demands. Critics appreciate the theoretical depth but note its dense prose and limited empirical examples. While insightful, some view Gellner's arguments as Eurocentric and overly deterministic. Engaging yet complex, it's valued in academic circles.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Nations and Nationalism?

A reader interested in Nations and Nationalism by Ernest Gellner is likely an academic or scholar intrigued by political theory, sociology, or history. Similar works include Anderson’s Imagined Communities and Hobsbawm’s Nations and Nationalism since 1780. They enjoy exploring theories on state formation and cultural identity.

4.1

1,701 ratings

66%

Loved it

26%

Mixed feelings

7%

Not a fan

Book Details
Pages

170

Format

Book • Nonfiction

Setting

1980s

Publication Year

1983

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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