[Mike L]

Can anyone recommend a reputable book on European history in the 19th Century (or, say, the period between the end of the Napoleonic Wars and the start of the Great War)?

I'm looking for something that presents the big picture: the history of the entire continent rather than that of individual countries. I'd prefer a heavyweight title, not one of those "everything you need to know in two hours" offerings.

My reason for wanting this is that next year we'll almost certainly see a flood of titles on the origins and causes of World War 1 - I've already added a couple of those to my to-be-read list - but I'm fairly ignorant about the period immediately before that.

Any suggestions gratefully received.

Mike