Can anyone recommend a good comprehensive book (or books) on Europe's long and rich History?
My wife and I just got back from another trip to Europe - this time to Spain and Portugal. We're beginning to realize how little we know about Europe's history. We have bits and pieces that we've picked up along the way, but nothing comprehensive.
We're both craving a deeper understanding of Europe's history.
thanks much, Tom
It only covers the period from 1945 until shortly after the breakup of the Soviet Union, but Tony Judt's magnum opum Postwar is probably the best summary I can recommend. Absolutely invaluable if you want to understand anything about Europe today, particularly the formation of the EU.
my husband really likes the "A Concise History of _____" series. (Fill in the country of your choice).
Norman Davies' »Europe: A History« is widely acclaimed as authoritive and readable. I have read his »Vanished Kingdoms«, which in a light-footed way is a good introduction to the bizarre, and often totally incomprehensible history of this place.
For the history of Central Europe (much of which was until recently perceived as Eastern Europe) I can advise Simon Winder. His »Germania« and »Danubia« are very readable histories of Germany and Austria-Hungary with a good British eye for the hilarious. »Danubia« wetted my appetite to get on the train, and visit the places where he has been to write this book.
There is "Europe" by Norman Davies. It covers Europe from the Ice Age to the 1990s. It's a tome: around 1,400 pages in most editions. It's a contemporary book. I think it was published in the late 1990s.
Another idea is "The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire" by Edward Gibbon. It's also a brick. The work covers the history of the Roman Empire, Europe and the Catholic Church from 100 to 1600 and discusses the decline of the Roman Empire in the East and West. I was a history minor, but never tackled it. The work was originally published in the late 1700s, about the time of American independence. Some people read it because of its literary value. Gibbon was a great writer.
"The Peloponnesian War" by Thucydides is a comprehensive look at ancient Europe, especially Green.
I've read a fair amount of Plutarch, who is famous for "Parallel Lives," "The Rise and Fall of Athens," "Makers of Rome" and others. These were written when the Roman Empire still existed.
When I saw the title of this thread all the books on Tonfromleiden's post came to mind. I have copies of all of them. The Davis 'Vanished Kingdoms' is a favourite of mine.
The Concise History of ... are published by my new employer, Cambridge University Press. And I had the same idea to recommend them to you. But I am not spotting one that is generally for Europe. There is one for World History. It is sitting on my desk at work. :) The same author did do a textbook on Early Modern Europe. Prices are not showing on the Cambridge site because we're updating our order system, but you can see on Amazon, that it's just above $30--not bad for a textbook! Cambridge has many, many, many, many books on all aspects of the history of Europe. I enjoyed looking through the list online and spotting things like: Medieval European Coinage, Richard Nixon and Europe, The Huns, Rome and the Birth of Europe, and The Weather of the 1780's over Europe! I suspect that our old rival, OUP has lots of books as well. :)
Pam
Thanks everyone...these suggestions are just what we were hoping for!
Much appreciated...Tom
If you want a page-turner to complement the Tony Judt heavy reading, try this black comedy:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/savage-continent/id476341873?mt=11
Hi,
Any specific special area, geographically or pertaining to which topic?
Completely agree with recommending Norman Davis "Europe" Davis' two volumes on Poland are essential to under Poland within the context of European history. Like other British historians, past and present, Davis is also a linguist in mastering German ( a must for scholarly historical research,) Russian, and Polish (his specialty ). I would suggest Christopher Clark's work on Prussian history , "The Iron Kingdom," and his recent work on the origins of WW1, "The Sleep Walkers. " critical, balanced, scholarly. Both works appear also in German translation.
Anything by AJP Taylor ... https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A._J._P._Taylor
Most famously, "The Origins of the Second World War"
Hi Twally,
Some of my favorites are Homage to Catalonia (since you're planning on Spain), The Sea Wolves; a History of the Vikings, With the Old Breed and In the Garden of the Beasts.
For Spain you might want to look at 'Ghosts of Spain' by Giles Tremlett, most of the works of Paul Preston for modern Spain.
Good comprehensive and concise book on Europe's history is Europe 101 - History & Art for the Traveler by Rick Steves. There are so many others to recommend if we know the era and region you are interested the most. You can learn a lot about history just by reading Ken Follett's Century Trilogy: Fall of Giants, Winter of the World, Edge of Eternity.
Postwar is one of my favorite non-fiction books of all time. Compliment that with Tony's lecture linked here:
http://libwww.library.phila.gov/podcast/?podcastID=172
And the Hardcore History series of podcasts on WWI linked here:
http://www.dancarlin.com/product/hardcore-history-50-blueprint-for-armageddon-i/
And you have the 20th Century covered.
If you are interested Pre-20th Century French History, Graham Robb's books are a good choice. Check out the Discovery of France and Parisians.
-Matt
You can get easily overwhelmed by starting in the serious books. I very much agree with the recommendation of RS' Europe 101 - History & Art for the Traveler for anyone needing some orientation to European history and art. In fewer than 500 very small pages you get a very readable introduction to European history and culture, complimented by maps and pictures. It is light and a bit humorous in the RS style and yet... and yet... it contains many real gems of information. Read it first and then for more depth try on some of the more serious volumes recommended in replies.
I didn´t read the RS books, but from the videos and the info here on the site my impression is that Rick Steves is well informed about European history. I think too it´s worth as an introduction to read his books.
To understand more the European spirit in the context of history I can recommend: The Wealth and Poverty of Nations by David S. Landes. The good thing about this book is as it gives insight why the globilisation process, what is now in full swing started here and not somewhere else, explaining in the meanwhile the cultural richness of Europe. To my opinion The Middle Sea: A History of the Mediterranean by John Julius Norwich gives a good historical overview of the southern part of Europe.
I've found that a very broad overview, concise, is the place to start. A Dummies book or the Rick Steves one mentioned will give you the big picture. Then fill in the details of specific areas/eras/people as desired. Maybe it's my learning style, but I like to get a big picture from a highly accessible source first. Then more scholarly works will make more sense. The easy book acts as a hook to hang the more detailed works on.
Hello all,
...really appreciate all of the book suggestions!
Having spent time in several countries in Europe, we're most interested (at this time) in an overall look at Europe's history - not any specific geographic area within or a certain historical time frame.
Standing in a ruined castle in the Scottish highlands, or the Roman Forum, or Saint Chapelle in Paris, or the Alcazar in Sevilla, or a rampart on the wall of Obidos, and so on... has whetted our appetites to understand, from a broader perspective, the context of what we see when we go to Europe. The more of Europe that we see, the more fascinated we are with the question of "how did this all come about?"
The "101" approach of gaining an overall understanding, and then going specific appeals most. Since several here have recommended "Norman Davies' Europe: A History", we've ordered a copy of that as a starting point.
We weren't aware that Rick his written anything on the history aspect of Europe - not surprised though. We'll pick one of those up this weekend at his fall travel festival. (lucky that we live in the area and can attend in person!)
Every other book recommended on this thread is being compiled into our future reading list.
thanks again everyone!
Tom
True, about AJP Taylor, very persuasive, and/or most controversial, "The Origins of the Second World War." Still, it should be read as part of the literature and historiography on the topic. But get the 2nd edition with "Reply to the Critics."
Except for the major wars they all participated in, each country has their own history. I like to read books related to my next visit to get some historical perspective about how the nation became what it is today. Some are written in novel form, others are straight history.
Homage to Catalonia is mentioned. I loved that book before my trip to Spain. It helps me answer questions about topics which, without context, don't seem to make sense. As an example:
Q. Why did the Catholic church side with Franco and the Fascists during the Spanish revolution?
A. Orwell, who joined a Communist brigade, describes how the churches were treated by the Communists. Church buildings were typically looted, the pews piled in the center and burned. Afterwards the brigades used the churches as toilets, literally.
Orwell also describes spying on the other side. One of the things they listened for were church bells. The fascists always attended mass before an offensive.
No one book can possibly address your premise , and there are many great responses posted . I have one - In the spring of 2014 before an upcoming Autumn trip to the UK ( 100th anniversary of the start of The Great War ) , I read " The War that Ended Peace " by Margaret MacMillan . This is not about the war ( battles , logistics , etc. } , but the reasons - political , social , nationalistic , diplomatic , etc. , that led to this horrific conflict . Having recently returned from a protracted sojourn in Europe , including ten days in Flanders and The Somme , and nearly three weeks in St Petersburg , I cannot begin to stress how much this book taught me . It is well written , detailed , thorough , and worth the time it takes to understand the content . It goes far in explaining the history of late nineteenth and early twentieth century Europe .
This book by M. MacMillan is worth reading as long as you read "The Sleep Walkers" to balance it., nothing wrong with comparing and contrasting them either. Basically her thesis is revealed in the lengthy epilogue/preface where she lays out six-eight scenarios dealing with "iffy" history, ie, If such and such had (not) done,....." Some are valid, some not valid, but do read the book for yourself. For me I don't buy most of her arguments.
Fred , many thanks for the heads up , I just reread the Times review . I recalled the review from when it came out . I know that history writing can indeed have specific slants , and your comments have picqued my interest . My local library has it , and I'm headed there after breakfast to pick it up , Many Thanks , Steve
A great companion for any collection of history books is Bernard Grun's "The Timetables of History."
It's based on Werner Steins' "Kulturfahrplan", and visually provides a progressive, parallel look at what was happening in different countries at the same time; era by era, millennium by millennium, and year by year from 4500 BC to present day.
It covers notable events and/or advances in history/politics, literature, religion/philosophy, visual arts/architecture, music, science/technology and daily life.
I just read a fascinating article on Napoleon by British historian and journalist Andrew Roberts, published in the Smithsonian:
http://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/we-better-off-napoleon-never-lost-waterloo-180955298/
His premise is that Europe would be much better off today if Napoleon had not lost at Waterloo.
Fascinating article , Lola . Certainly points out the serendipity of historical events , I enjoyed it .
If I read between the lines well, your question is more: Why has happened (for me here ofcourse) so much in a relativily small area compared to other places. What is the reason? This needs to my opinion more than just a historical approach, I think you must look for answers also more in the field of anthropology.
This is a bit my idea about it:
Conditions for humans to live are not equally divided in the world, some places prove to be more ideal than others, so geographical conditions play a very important role. For the basics of living you need in enough quantities fertile land, clear water, a moderate climate (not too hot or too cold), absence of lethal endemic diseases like in the tropics (a hot humid climate is ideal for germs) whiping out complete populations etc.
I think Europe in general these conditions are quite optimal:
- Moderate climate due to the influence of the warm Gulf Stream, especially the western part. So no real extreme temperatures and enough rain to guarantee crops keep producing enough food for a constantly expanding population.
- Mediterranian Sea forms the natural barrier between the Sahara and Middle East deserts and the land north of it. Easy to see the difference in terms of living conditions and cultural developement.
- Very long coastline compared to the land area. The sea is relativily not far away providing more variation in food and a possible alternative during periods of crop failure.
- Etc.
We have to go far back in time to understand that these conditions were vital in the period of the first settlements and made later the agricultural revolution possible. As soon as the basics are enough guaranteed to survive you also get enough time and energy for cultural developement. That´s what happenend in the past in Europe more than somewhere else I think.
Just a few examples, there are way more factors explaining why you have /had here so much cultural activity and developement. The book of Landes that I mentioned earlier is to my opinion a good introduction. I have to admit not readed it, but the Pulitzer Prize awarded book Guns, Germs and Steel, The Fates of Human Societies by Jared Diamond seems to give a lot of insight too. I hope this is a bit helpfull too.
It is not my intention to continu or start a discussion, it is just to give hopefully an interesting way to look to the question asked. Opinions are welcome ofcourse.
@ Lola...Engaging in "iffy" history has to be done when the available evidence is there. My point is this: If Napoleon had "prevailed" at Waterloo, say, gave Wellington enough of a drubbing, in spite of the decisive Prussian arrival in force (a lot of "iffy" factors to consider,) two events would have happened ...#1. Wellington's Anglo-Dutch army would have saved themselves from destruction by making for the Channel ports to get back to England, #2, politically, the most immediate thing that most likely would have happened would be the fall of the Tory government, since it was they who were determined to rid Europe of Napoleon once and for all. Then it would have been a matter of political will under a British government led by the Whigs...maybe. To prosecute further war against Napoleon, which served British purposes, the continental Allies need British financial subsidies.
Austria under Metternich's diplomacy was much more lenient on Napoleon's survival (look at what he offered to Napoleon in their last meeting in June 1813) as long as he behaved himself by being what his title said he was: Emperor of the French, ie and not of any one else...Germans, Italians, etc. Austria saw Napoleonic France as a counterweight to a Prussia backed up by Tsarist Russia in the duel for Central Europe. Keep in mind that when the victorious Prussian Army under Blücher chasing the remnants of the French from Waterloo to Paris. that outside of Paris this Prussian force was defeated by Napoleon's marshal Davout, by which time Napoleon had already abdicated for the second time.
You're welcome, Steven.
M. MacMillan even though she doesn't accept the Fischer thesis basically argues the broad position on the role of Great Britain in 1914 as do many British historians past and present. Look at Nial Fergusen's "The Pity of War" for something dramatically different, all the more so when comparing and contrasting MacMillan and Fergusen on England and Germany.
I liked the history books in the series entitled "THE RISE OF MODERN EUROPE". Those books were in libraries at all of the state universities and state colleges in the United States of America. Each book has a clever title. Reading those books can be enjoyable. Hard cover books. Those books were reprinted by an other publishing company in recent years.
The first volume of Ian Kershaw's monumental new history is now out in the States , and here is the NYTimes review ( Fred , I am certain you will find this interesting ) http://www.nytimes.com/2015/11/29/books/review/ian-kershaws-to-hell-and-back-europe-1914-1949.html?ref=books
@ Steven...Ian Kershaw...anything he writes is good, competent, erudite, scholarly, certainly not popular history. I found it very informative, picqued my curiosity, will compared it to M. MacMillian. I would suggest also Sean Mc Meekin's "The Russian Origins of the First World War" but, first, read the British historian Richard Evans' review of the book so that the shortcomings of McMeekin's book are known. Still, McMeekin's work is needed in the overall historiography of WW 1 literature, where he pulls a Fischer Thesis (of Univ Hamburg) on Russia, severely, maybe a bit extreme at times but compelling in like manner how Fischer deals "severely" with Germany.
I've been re-reading Europe 101 by Rick Steves (after many years) and would definitely recommend it to someone who wants a very concise overview of the history of Europe from cave paintings to the 21st century. It covers both general history and art history (heavy on the art) and I had forgotten how easy it is to read and how informative without being too stuffy and erudite. He and co-author Gene Openshaw can be humorous and irreverent at times and I really get a good chuckle now and then. Worth reading before you go.
