In 2014, we commemorated not only the centenary of the outbreak of World War I, but also the bicentenary of the summoning of the Congress of Vienna, where a stable and long-lasting peace was to be established after the Revolutionary and Napoleonic wars that lasted almost a quarter of a century. In both cases, historians have made the most of the opportunities to offer and sell their works, though the number of books dedicated to the earlier event is considerably more modest. The quantity, however, is not at all significant, as is proven by American historian and lawyer Mark Jarrett; his book, which analyzes the history of the Congress of Vienna within the wider context of the rise, functioning, and decline of the congress system after the Napoleonic Wars, is one of high quality.

Jarrett's book is divided into three principal parts. Having introduced the reader to the situation prevailing in Europe before 1789, the first part covers the period of the Revolutionary and Napoleonic wars from 1792 to 1814 and ends with the restoration of the Bourbons in France and the signing of the First Peace of Paris. The second part is dedicated to the Congress of Vienna and the rise of the congress system from 1814 to 1818 and concludes with the Congress of Aachen. The third part analyzes the functioning of the congress system at the Congresses of Troppau, Laibach, and Verona and its departure from the stage, which means the period of 1819 to 1823.

The erudite book is well structured and well written. It also shows modesty, because the author is not attempting to promote a new or ‘‘original’' yet insubstantial thesis to sell his book, as is common nowadays. This restraint underlies the positive attributes of the book because it helps the author depict the story in a well-balanced manner, free of clichés and superficial conclusions. Another positive feature of this work is the intricate narration in which Jarrett patiently adds pieces to the splendid and large mosaic. The chapter “The Characters of the Statesmen” (72–84) must be mentioned as representative of the entire work: here, the lives of the most important men of the Congress of Vienna are sketched in a manner that promotes a fuller understanding not only of their characters and the motives behind their conduct in the aftermath of the Napoleonic Wars, but also of the history and outcome of the Congress of Vienna itself.

The author's scholarly research is clearly visible in the text; a large number of primary and secondary sources were used in writing the book. In addition to the considerable number of books and articles in several languages, and not only on political history, Jarrett constructs his narrative upon a remarkable number of published, as well as unpublished, documents. The unpublished ones were gathered mainly in the British National Archives in Kew and, to a lesser extent, in the Archives of the French Foreign Ministry in Paris and the Austrian State Archives in Vienna. The author's use of archival sources considerably increases for the period after 1815. Considering the complexity and length of the text, it is all the more admirable that he has avoided factual mistakes. The claim in a footnote on page 471—that an Austrian representative in Constantinople using the rank of internuncio was an ambassador when he was in fact only an envoy—is an exception proving the rule.

Jarrett's book is an excellent analysis of the subject, a worthy read for scholars, students, and the general public. It offers academic value and complexity, as well as lucid and articulate narration. The clarity of the narrative results not only from the well-arranged structure and readable style, but also from useful supplements such as maps, a chronological overview, and an annotated list of the most significant personalities.

When I received the book for review, I was concerned that it was just another attempt to profit from the bicentenary of the Congress of Vienna commemorated in 2014. Fortunately, my apprehension was entirely misplaced because Mark Jarrett's book is a commendable, scholarly effort. I dare say that it has become a classic work on the Congress of Vienna and the congress period after 1815 at the very moment of its publication, and that its author fully deserves every cent he makes from it.