Anthony D. Smith
Personal Information
Description
Anthony David Stephen Smith (23 September 1939 – 19 July 2016) was a British historical sociologist who, at the time of his death, was Professor Emeritus of Nationalism and Ethnicity at the London School of Economics. He is considered one of the founders of the interdisciplinary field of nationalism studies. Smith took his first degree in classics and philosophy at Oxford University and his master's degree and doctorate in sociology at the London School of Economics. He was the first president of the Association for the Study of Ethnicity and Nationalism. Source: [Anthony D. Smith]( on Wikipedia.
Books
Nationalism
Nationalism and Modernism
Smith has produced a thorough and comprehensive survey of the diverse theories of nationalism against the backdrop of debates about modernity. In an accessible style he traces the changing view of this hotly discussed topic within the current arena.
The Nation Made Real Art And National Identity In Western Europe 16001850
What role did visual artists play in the emergence and spread of nationalism and a sense of national identity? Focusing on late-eighteenth and early-nineteenth century Britain and France, this original study in the historical sociology of nations and nationalism analyses the contributions of artists in these and other West European countries to the creation of memorable images of the abstract concept of the nation. By employing different modes of depiction for conveying moral lessons, evoking the atmosphere of the homeland, and commemorating the fallen in battle, David, Ingres, Turner, Constable, and Friedrich, as well as a host of lesser artists, were able to make the national idea appear palpable and accessible, and the abstract concept of the nation seem 'authentic' and 'real'. After a brief description of the main themes of the visual record of Dutch nation-building in the seventeenth century, Anthony D. Smith presents an original comparative analysis of the rise of 'national art' in eighteenth-century Britain and France.
The antiquity of nations
"The Antiquity of Nations provides a fresh interpretation of the nature of modern nations. Departing from conventional wisdom, Smith argues the case for a deeper understanding of their character, based on an ethno-symbolic analysis of the myths, memories, symbols and traditions of pre-modern ethnic communities. Building on his earlier work, the author seeks to balance the undeniable novel components of the nation with its ancient, rooted and persistent attributes" "The book will be essential reading for scholars and students alike of nationalism and ethnicity."--Jacket.