The Shortest History of Germany

From Roman Frontier to the Heart of Europe—A Retelling for Our Times

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Pub Date 19 Mar 2019 | Archive Date 02 Apr 2019

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Description

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An internationally bestselling, fresh, and entertaining take on the 2,000-year history of Germany—a country at the heart of the West’s survival

As the West grapples with the rise of populism, some cite Germany as one of the last global powers capable of restoring Europe’s fading glory and upholding Western liberal values seemingly under threat around the world. But how did Germany get here? How did it rebuild in the tragic aftermath of WWII? What about Germany allowed for the rise of Nazism in the first place? And what can we learn from the history of a people who did not develop a modern nation until 1871? 

James Hawes answers all these questions and more. With over 100 maps, images, and diagrams, The Shortest History of Germany locates the true roots of the horrors of Nazi Germany in a way that no book has done before, and it shows how an ancient Roman divide—the limes Germanicus—has fundamentally defined not only German history, but also the Germany we think we know today.  

This file is NOT currently available for Kindle. We apologize for any inconvenience. If you have difficulties with downloading, please email us for assistance or leave a note in lieu of a review...


Available Editions

EDITION Other Format
ISBN 9781615195695
PRICE $16.95 (USD)
PAGES 256

Average rating from 14 members


Featured Reviews

At a time when falsehood and mythology have seemingly usurped facts and reason, where fake news and propaganda masquerading as news is all around us and where experts are derided and ignored it is up to the ordinary citizen to not only base their judgments on evidenced based analysis but also to question some of their existing beliefs and assumed knowledge. This is particularly relevant with the studying of history. I know from my schooldays fifty some years ago that our introduction to German history did not commence until 1866 and was almost exclusively devoted to wars and the portraying of the country as a continuing existentialist threat to Britain and its empire. Why this should be was never really explained. Also there was never any teaching regarding how important and integral a part Germania played in the Roman Empire, the Germans becoming its most favoured military recruits, how Charlemagne dragged Europe out of the Dark Ages and the vital medieval trading links England and Scotland had with the Hansa and Rhineland merchants.

The book in little more than two hundred pages (which I found quite unputdownable finishing it in a couple of sittings) will give the average reader a greater understanding of this great country. Alongside the narrative are photographs, drawings, cartoons and most importantly maps for integral to understanding German history is an appreciation of the role that its ever changing borders particularly on its eastern side have played.

However the book is not just a restating of historic facts but also a polemical wok for its central thesis is that Germany is in essence two separate entities, historically, culturally, politically, religiously and emotionally. One being remarkably similar to Germania planned by Caesar Augustus and the other being that geographically placed east of the Elbe which historically was defined as Prussia. James Hawes refers to these two entities as Germany and East Elbia. The first would be western looking with a view to modernity and that things are run properly and the second would look eastward being in a constant fear of the integrity and positioning of its borders against the threat of Slav and in particular Polish nationalism and an overriding need to defeat Russia before it is too late. Certainly if you look at voting patterns whether in the early 1930's or in the present day the extremes of both right and left have gained and continue to gain most of their votes in the east.

According to Hawes our view of German history has been woefully distorted by looking at it through the prism of Prussian history which is in many ways contradictory to what is the real outward looking, progressive and liberal democratic Germany that is increasingly becoming a beacon of light in an increasingly authoritarian world. It is like viewing the history of the USA only through its southern states. Whether Hawes thesis is correct will I think require the reader to undertake further research and to gain the perspectives of German historians and commentators.

A fascinating read that hopefully will generate further reading and remedy ignorance and falsehood.

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With a neutral point of view, this is a complete reference book about Germanic's history. The author is able to narrate the most important facts in less than 300 pages which is impressive. Also, James supported his content with over 100 maps, images, and diagrams. This book should be at every school library at any level from high school to universities.

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Where was this book when I was studying for my German degree? It would have made four years' worth of studying dates and names a breeze. Concise and well laid out, The Shortest History of Germany is a title history, German buffs, and beyond need at their disposal!

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Looks at the history of Germany in a completely neutral manner, which in a world of ours where polemical literature is fast becoming a norm, is something hard to come by. What surprised me a bit is its length (300 odd pages) and of that, quite a bit are detailed maps and diagrams. It might not suit a professional history buff but for any layman, this would surely whet their appetite for German history!

My rating - 4/5

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