The Shortest History of Germany: From Roman Frontier to the Heart of Europe - A Retelling for Our Times [Paperback]

A highlight reel of the must-know moments across two millennia of world-changing historyfrom the Roman age to Charlemagne to von Bismarck to Merkel. The Shortest History books deliver thousands of years of history in one riveting, fast-paced read. A fast-moving encapsulation of German history focusing on the thesis that Prussias aggression was a short-lived anomaly in the big picture and not reflective of the true German spirit. In this shortest history, Hawes conquers the dense task of recounting the story of the land and people of what is now Germany over the last two millennia . . . [He] does a good job guiding readers . . . pointing out parallels to today and arguing that Germanys history, long-ago and recent, makes it a key, if not James Hawes condenses two millennia into a zippy 256 pages. Breezy yet knowledgeable, the book provides a thorough grounding in the major historical events and religious and regional differences that shaped the country at the very heart of Europe. With this pocket-size history, Hawes delivers a wide-ranging yet precise chronicle of political leaders who have served and shaped what is now Germany. . . . This clearly presented history will be of particular interest to readers following the political machinations of the European Union. An excellent little book . . . [Hawes] knows what hes on about and his conclusions are measured, but he favours clear, concise prose over dense academese. He has a sense of humour, and a sharp eye for similarities between then and now. An excellent, elegantly written overview of German history. . . . and accessible. A sparkling little book, which really does begin at the beginning . . . Hawes exemplifies the remarkable contribution of Anglo-Saxon scholarship to post-war German historiography . . . It is not accidental that some of the best minds in the Anglosphere have worried away at the German problem ever since 1945. The preceding generation had been dragged into two world wars, the Iron ClC¹