Cut off in traffic? Bumped without apology on the subway? Forced to listen to a profane conversation in a public space? In today's Western societies, many feel that there has been a noticeable and marked decrease in mutual consideration in both public and private settings. Are we less civil now than in the past? Benet Davetian's masterful study Civility: A Cultural History responds to this question through a historical, social, and psychological discussion of the civility practices in three nations England, France, and the USA.

Davetian's rich multi-dimensional review of civility from 1200 to the present day contextualizes his topic and provides insight into the customs of all three countries. His multi-dimensional analysis of the psychology of human interaction charts a new course for the study and understanding of civility and civil society. Civility addresses a major topic in public discourse today, providing insight into the ideals and practices of civility and offering a meditation on the possibility of a future civility ethic capable of inspiring cooperation across cultural and national boundaries.

Benet Davetian is Chair and associate professor in the Department of Sociology and Anthropology at the University of Prince Edward Island and is Director of the Civility Institute.

Endorsements/Review Excerpts

'Benet Davetian's Civility will take you on a compelling social and psychological journey through the history of civility, from the Middle Ages to the present day. Essential reading for anyone interested in international standards and customs of courtesy, Davetian's perspective on the cross-cultural impact of civility practices is not only thorough and insightful, but also encouragingly optimistic.

'Civility: A Cultural History is impressive in both scope and depth, engaging in an innovative and substantial dialogue on the concept of civility. Well documented and erudite, Benet Davetian's book not only historicizes the development of civility but also locates the concept in today's society and offers a renewed perspective on crucial issues such as multiculturalism. I read Civility with great pleasure.'

Jean-François Côté, Department of Sociology, Université du Québec à Montréal. Author of Architecture d'un marcher: Entretiens avec Wajdi Mouawad; Le triangle d'Hermès: Poe, Stein, Warhol, figures de la modernité

'Civility is a tour-de-force: a work of dazzling scholarship on this core concept of our social life, ranging from the Middle Ages to the present, and covering France, England and the United States. Spitting, line-up etiquette, toilet hygiene, good manners, and the relativity of politeness are all discussed as they change and vary in this most engaging and poetically written work. Davetian is as much at home with 'The Art of Courtly Love', the Enlightenment, the rise of individualism, the Victorian gentleman and gentlewoman, as with contemporary teens and narcissism. It's absolutely fascinating!'

'Professor Benet Davetian's scintillating tour de force fills a gaping void in the history of ideas. If you are serious about the civility-civilization connection, you will want your well-thumbed copy of Norbert Elias' tome to share a place on your nightstand with this newcomer destined to last.'

P.M. Forni, professor, Johns Hopkins University and author of Choosing Civility: The 25 Rules of Considerate Conduct.