戴维·J.希尔和他的《欧洲外交史》

David Jayne Hill and His A History of Diplomacy in the International Development of Europe

活跃在19、20世纪之交的美国传奇式人物戴维·J.希尔集多种身份于一身,而他最为后人记取的是他在国际关系学科领域的开创性成就。他所著的《欧洲外交史》三卷,是欧美学界的第一部国际关系史通史著作,极大地推动了19、20世纪之交欧美国际关系学科的兴起。该著作既清晰描绘了1800多年间欧洲政治的宏观轨迹,又生动展示了欧洲国际关系进程的丰富画面。它具有以下几个突出的特点:对历史主线的精当把握、对历史偶然因素的深刻揭示、对文献资料的广泛挖掘以及清新活泼的写作手法。这些特点使该著作成为国际关系史学的不朽经典。

David Jayne Hill （1850~ 1932）, a legendary American who had successfully pursued multiple careers, has been remembered mainly as a diplomatic historian. His three-volumed book A History of Diplomacy in the International Development of Europe, as the first general history of international relations ever produced in the western academic circles, had greatly prompted the emergence of the study of international relations as an independent discipline. The work, while distinctly drew courses of European politics in more than 1800 years, yividly presented a colorful picture of development of the European international relations. The following merits of the book made it a long cherished classical work of international studies., precise grasp of historical macro trends, deep exploration of accidental issues, extensive consultation of literature, and elegant and lively writing style.