Product Description
The multi-faceted, problematic history of the German lands has supplied material for a wide range of debates and differences of interpretation. This second edition spans the early Middle Ages to the present day, synthesizing a vast array of historical material. Mary Fulbrook explores the interrelationships between social, political and cultural factors in the light of the latest scholarly controversies. First Edition Hb (1991): 0-521-36283-0 First Edition Pb (1991): 0-521-36836-7 ... Read more

Customer Reviews (7)

Sewing Freak
This is a wonderful book.I have german blood and wanted to know more about Germany.I found this book very informative and very readable.I would highly recommend this book to anyone.

German History - ASynopsis of Major Events
A Concise History of Germany, which covers the development of Germany from the Medieval Period through the reunification of East and West Germany, is a useful reference for students of European history. Among its informative parts is an excellent political, educational, social and standard of living comparison of East Germany with West Germany. However, the principal focus of the book is a brief synopsis of the pivotal events that constitute 1000 years of German history.

FAIR HISTORICAL APPROACH
The book is a fair representation of actual events. Not excellent, but fair! Too much interference from the run-of-the-mill European opinions rather than hard facts (in many instances)

brief summary of an important country
In A Concise History of Germany, Fulbrook gives a history of over 1000 years of German histroy starting to the miedeval era to 1989. The book gives an a great history of how Germany was formed giving information about the different states of Germany like Saxony and Bavaria and Germans living outside of Germany in areas like Poland. The book futher continues discussing Germany's importance in the Renaissnance and how Germany was unified in the 1800s. The book gives a good history of Germany in the 20th centuray especially about the World Wars and East and West Germany

A good introduction into Germany.

Germany History in a Nutshell
"A Concise History of Germany"
Mary Fulbrook
ISBN 0-521-36836-7

I was interested in reading this book to get insight about places I had visited in Germany and hopefully about some I would see in the future.

Mary Fulbrook states that a history of Germany, a country which has not existed as such for so many years, is really a history of the German speaking peoples. Indeed, the history of Germany has been long, complex, and often influenced by war.

There was some of the insight that I sought in this book, for example, in the section, "The German Peasant's War". I had come across references to this conflict a few times in Germany.Fulbrook writes that by 1525, there were 300,000 peasants in armed revolt in German speaking areas. Over 100,000 were ultimately killed when the rebellions were put down. There had been other related rebellions preceding this war in the previous half century, she writes.

The Thirty Years War, from 1618 to 1648, was another conflict, described by the author, that I have seen references to in Germany in association with cities of Rothenburg, Noerdlingen, Heidelberg, and Seligenstadt among others.

Another part of this book that I found interesting was the account of the Weimar Republic. It lasted a little over fourteen years. In the end, large numbers of Germans from the left and right rejected democracy as a form of government.This government failed for a number of reasons. Some related to harsh peace terms after WWI and an unstable economy. The depression in the United States and the cancellation of short-term loans also played a hand.

The most well known part of German history to the reader would seem to be the Nazi times that led up to WWII and led Germany to destruction. The coverage of this aspect of German history is well-trod ground. The description of the era in this book is interesting, but it does not particularly provide fresh insight.

One of the more interesting parts of the book is the favorable comparison of certain aspects of the old East Germany with West Germany. While the latter became economically prosperous and closely aligned with the West, East Germany became the most productive satellite in the communist bloc and one of the USSR's most reliable supporters. Surprisingly, Fulbrook writes also that there was greater social mobility in East Germany with a school system that emphasized work experience. She states that East Germany had a "range of routes" to higher education, so that those who did not take the academic route through upper school could still access higher education. The price to be paid, however, was political conformism.

On the whole, the author of "A Concise History of Germany" accomplishes a difficult feat, which is to write a short book on a subject which is long, covering hundreds ofyears,and complex. While it is true that the focus of the book is very high-level and often oversimplified, it provides for consumption in smaller doses what otherwise might not be digested at all by readers if available only in unappetizingly larger amounts. ... Read more

Product Description

In one concise volume, Hagen Schulze brilliantly conveys the full sweep of German history, from the days of the Romans to the fall of the Berlin Wall. A story two thousand years in the making, it rings with battle, murmurs with intrigue, and hums with the music of everyday life. This richly various legacy, often overshadowed and distorted by the nation's recent past, offers a hopeful answer to the perennial question of what kind of country Germany is and will be.

From the revolt of the indigenous tribes against Roman domination, Schulze leads us through the events that have defined a nation at the center of European culture--the Thirty Years' War and the decline of the Holy Roman Empire, Luther's Reformation and Bismarck's attendance at the birth of modern Germany, the Great War and its aftermath, the nationalistic megalomania under Hitler, the division of the nation after World War II and its reunification. Throughout, we see what these developments have meant for the German people, in the arena of private life and on the stage of world history. A lavish array of illustrations provides a lively counterpoint to Schulze's elegantly written narrative.

As it follows the threads of German language, nationalism, and culture to the present day, this dramatic account provides ample reassurance that recent history will not repeat itself. Germany: A New History will prove indispensable to our understanding of Germany, past and present, and the future of Europe.

In his chronicle of Wilhelmine Germany, the period from 1890 to 1914,Schulze skillfully outlines details of political events both insideGermany and throughout Europe, then illustrates how they delineate aturning point from the precarious political order previouslymaintained by Bismarck. He interweaves this political narrative withanalysis of social, economic, and cultural events of the era: thelegacy of Prussian militarism, the rise of industrial and agriculturalunions, the disillusionment of German youth with the rise ofindustrialism, German advances in scientific research, musicaldevelopments by Wagner and Brahms, the theatrical productions ofGerhard Hauptmann and Georg Kaiser, and the growing intellectualinfluence of Schopenhauer, Nietzsche, and Freud. Supplemented byrelevant photos and suggestions for further reading, Schulze's accountprovides the reader with a concise, accurate, and well-balancedpresentation of the pre-war period, exemplifying a consistentlybalanced approach throughout the text.--Bertina Loeffler ... Read more

Customer Reviews (10)

First Rate!
This is a surprisingly lively account, authoritative and scholarly but filled with insight as well. Events follow rapidly upon one another in an extremely concise narrative, and the author even found room--briefly--to consider the contributions of artists. It's quite an achievement to boil down so much history into one relatively short report without losing one's grip on major themes. And the author's American publisher has given him a beautiful presentation, filled with illustrations (some in color) that augment the narrative. Probably the best short history of Germany--certainly the best I've ever read.

To be considered
The tumultuous era of Germany and its serenity epoch are well described. The author established a genealogical ascendance from Bismarck to the present day, and going through the consolidation of an effective government system. It is well-researched, despite the exaggeration in psychoanalyzing Germania's mass hysteria. Nevertheless, It could be used as a reliable reference book in universities.

German History Lite(REALLY Lite)

This is by no means a bad book; it's well-written, even-handed and as a previous review has noted, concise.REALLY concise.An example: World War I is covered in exactly fourteen paragraphs.(You read that right: fourteen paragraphs - about two and a half pages, INCLUDING illustrations.)Germany's rich and fascinating history prior to 1400 is glossed over so lightly that it doesn't even serve as an adequate prologue. (In fact, if this book were your only historical resource, you could be forgiven for believing that Germania didn't even EXIST before the Roman Empire came along.)

If you're looking for an easy-to-read, one-volume overview of German history from the Renaissance to modern times, this is your book.If you already know something of German history, you'll be gravely disappointed by the lack of detail and depth in this work.

Concise,excellent interpretation.
Can't say enough about this book.I had always wondered where the name Germany came from and I was aware of Tacitus' book Germania but I wasn't aware that the book is where the name came from. From my reading of Tacitus' book that would be a real loose definition for such a vast area with hundreds of ethnic groups and dialects,some as different as night from day.Schulze starts from the work of Germania and takes Europe's "soft center",as Germany was initially labeled,right to the present in a readable manner interspersed with excellent interpretations of events and even throws in tidbits of philosophy.Excellent readable graphs and lots of pictures that go right along with the history.i can see why this book would be picked as a textbook.The book describes how this area of Europe through alot of "misadventures" finally arrived at "stability and predictibility"the 2 items necessary for effective government.The adventure of "Germany" however is still ongoing however.

it's good, but not exactly what i thought it would be.
This book seems to be more an interpretation of German history. When it comes to the actual historical facts, they are skimmed through rather briefly. Few German greats were mention in depth. Overall it seems that the book was propaganda to justifying German history by painting dramatic pictures of the effects to the masses by the economy, the Treaty of Versailles, etc. but avoids taking it too far by making sure to condemn Hitler from the beginning, but in turn justifying why Germany rallied behind him. It was successful in that aspect, i felt bad for the historic Germans. However when it actually came to the actual facts and prominent figures of German history, www.wikipedia.org was far more successful and required far less reading. ... Read more

Product Description
The Cambridge Illustrated History of Germany presents a richly illustrated, integrated, chronological account of German history from Charlemagne to the modern era. Written in a lively, accessible manner for a general audience by a leading academic expert, this book is unique in its authority, approach and scope. Martin Kitchen focuses particularly on the German people - their culture and society. In this way he illuminates and puts into perspective the country's political history, from its origins as a collection of small, German-speaking states to its present-day status as a major European and world power. In special illustrated boxes and panels throughout the book, he reveals the great cultural and intellectual contribution Germans have made to the world through the works of figures such as Martin Luther, Bach, Kant, Wagner, and Gropius. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

A superbly presented, single volume history
The latest addition to the outstanding "Cambridge Illustrated History" series, Martin Kitchen's Germany presents a lavishly illustrated, integrated, chronological history of Germany from the era of Charlemagne down through the end of the twentieth century and German reunification. Here is a compendium of the culture, society, political organization, national tragedies and personal triumphs of the German people. Special illustrated boxes and panels enrich the informative, "reader friendly" text throughout and provides a superbly presented, single volume history that is a welcome addition to academic and community library world history collections.

Germany by a German
This text should not be demoted to decorating a living room's coffee table because of its "Cambridge" denomination and fancy pictures. Some of these "decoration" books do contain excellent write ups. Ignoring Mr. Kitchen's dissertation on the history of Germany would be at your own peril if you own the book already and, except for martini stains and dust, choose to ignore it. This history of Germany explains in a fascinatingly succint style key aspects of the German nation and German ethos: the Holy Roman Empire, the Hanseatic League, the Reformation, the Industrial Revolution and, inevitably, the Third Reich and the Holocaust. There are excellent art and culture sections describing anything from Goethe's Romantic world and the Grimm Brothers' fantastic tales to the Bauhaus. If you want to own a book to impress your friends, buy it, but buy it mostly to be impressed by it.

Good Book
I had to use this book for a class on German history.Although it was not required material for the class, the wealth of information helped me keep a handle of the flow of the nation's history.This book is rich in pictures and is one of the best books that I have ever seen on German history.Highly recomended. ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (1)

GREAT BOOK!
IT'S GOT ALL THE ESSENTIAL HISTORY OF A GREAT COUNTRY, GERMANY!, WRITTEN IN A NICE AND SIMPLE WAY, HIGHLY RECOMMEND IT! ... Read more

Product Description

In 1945, when the Red Army marched in, eastern Germany was not "occupied" but "liberated." This, until the recent collapse of the Soviet Bloc, is what passed for history in the German Democratic Republic. Now, making use of newly opened archives in Russia and Germany, Norman Naimark reveals what happened during the Soviet occupation of eastern Germany from 1945 through 1949. His book offers a comprehensive look at Soviet policies in the occupied zone and their practical consequences for Germans and Russians alike--and, ultimately, for postwar Europe.

In rich and lucid detail, Naimark captures the mood and the daily reality of the occupation, the chaos and contradictions of a period marked by rape and repression, the plundering of factories, the exploitation of German science, and the rise of the East German police state. Never have these practices and their place in the overall Soviet strategy, particularly the political development of the zone, received such thorough treatment. Here we have our first clear view of how the Russians regarded the postwar settlement and the German question, how they made policy on issues from reparations to technology transfer to the acquisition of uranium, how they justified their goals, how they met them or failed, and how they changed eastern Germany in the process. The Russians in Germany also takes us deep into the politics of culture as Naimark explores the ways in which Soviet officers used film, theater, and education to foster the Bolshevization of the zone.

Unique in its broad, comparative approach to the Soviet military government in Germany, this book fills in a missing--and ultimately fascinating--chapter in the history of modern Europe.

Customer Reviews (9)

Little known German History
I found the book to be informative and enlightening.The story of the Russian occupation of Germany, especially Berlin, after the war has received little, if any, attention by those writers of World War II history.The suffering of the Germans under Russian occupation was as severe as in the Russian Gulags.And of course many Germans ended up there as well.This book is well written and documented to provide a unique insight to this little known part of World War II history.

Well deserved
This superb book is a very well documented academic account of the treatment of the Germans by the Russian after World War II.In reading the book, I constantly remembered that the Russians would not have occupied East Germany if Germany had not attacked Russia.If the Germans had not elected Hitler and fought for him in World War II, they could have avoided the consequences of the occupation.German women were raped and German men were forced to work in the mines, but no German was sent to gas chambers by the Russians who liberated them from the Nazis.

Extremely enlightening, academic though impersonal.
This is a work of great scholarship, dealing in both Russian and German documents and made possible by the opening up of some, though by no means all, of the relevant Soviet archives.It describes the various attitudes and political strategies adopting by the occupying Soviet power in the Eastern zone of Germany in the immediate post war period.There are revealing episodes in the changing Russian emotions from grotesque revenge in terms of personal humiliations, robbery and `reparations' to the dawning realisation that a viable political and economic system had to be put in place in the emerging, divided Germany.This change necessitated a vibrant, popular German socialist party which would obey Moscow in every detail.The failure of the imposed German communism is quite clearly laid out - from the early days of ignoring Russian soldiers revenge-crimes (the strongest the KPD came to condemnation was that criminals `dressed in Russian uniforms' were marauding) to the intimidation of opponents in the elections which were staged. A surprise for me was the insistence, in documentation at least, among the Soviets that the German communists had to win elections. Huge amounts of vitriol were poured on the hapless Communists for their failure to win popularity, even as the Soviets extinguished all other opposition.
There is quite a level of detail about the political machinations within the German political parties, and within the various parts of the Soviet control systems - towards the end, Stalin became quite suspicious of the loyalty of Soviet officers stationed in Germany.The book is quite excellent in its descriptions of the changing priorities and policies.
Nonetheless I felt somewhat disappointed by the book in two respects - I was quite expecting that the early days in the occupation would see a continuation of the conflict between the Russian commanders Zhukov and Konev, which I had read about in other books.There was almost no discussion of this, though it did concentrat on the Russian militaries efforts to initially administer the zone, and eventually to yield political control to `reliable' Germans.I felt the book could have taken a more anecdotal approach to flesh out some of the personality clashes behind the policy discussions. A more fundamental reservation is the fact that neither the Soviets nor the German communists represented anything like popular political forces,and , by concentrating on the archives, the book does not adequately represent the nature of the struggle that ordinary Germans had in the GDR. The 1953 rebellion, the cynicism of Brecht and his artistic cohorts, the self-censorship and Stasi-control are alluded too, but these, more than Communist policy, gave the GDR its peculiar flavour.It was quite difficult to picture this from the book.
Overall this is book well worth reading, even today, about the perils and travails of an occupying force attempting to install a regime which is both popular and pliant.

Final Chapter of WWII
Every story has to have an ending, every tale has winners and losers but to every end their is another beginning. This book tells the beginning of the "new" beginning of Germany after the most horrific war in human history. But as we are to know, their are two tales of Germany, the East and the West. This is story of the East, just the first 4 years and how a broken country was pushed towards Sovietization and had its citizens punished in one way or another until in the end, the cracks of the Soviet/Socialist system broke and Germany in the end was free.

This book is not the greatest as it repeats itself at times and it seems like you are missing a major part of the story when you finish one chapter. Every chapter starts in '45 and ends in '49 and each subject written on that chapter is sorted out that way. Sounds simple but it does get complicated at times. The best chapters though deal with the Formation of the SED and the man with the greatest influence on the East German political system: Tuil'panov. Those two chapters tell the most important aspects of East Germany as they are the best reads of the book.

An intersting book with good research put into it but in the end their is something missing. If the book could have put a little more enphasis on world politics concerning East Germany at that time it would have been more enjoyable otherwise you have to wonder why things happened at the exact moment they happened.

This is the last chapter of WWII for Germany a chapter that laster 46 years. This is how it all began. The major players are all examined in the political sense but not in a personal sense, another flaw in the book. But even they wanted the best for the German people, one system against another, one ideolegy against another and Germany in the middle of it again. The cold war did not revolve around Germany but to Superpowers respected leaders, Germany was the most important place of all to show what each system could do. Understand how it all started by reading this book.

Unknown History
Very unique study of the Red Army Occuaption of Germany following World War 2.It is fascinating to read how the Russians used both the carrot and the stick in an attempt to win the Germans over to the Soviet cause.This should be contrasted to the western allies who viewed all Germans as Nazis.

The Soviets created difficulties for themselves as they had competing agencies trying to rule the defeated Reich each with their own agenda.The author cleary shows through East German communuist and Soviet documents how the brutality of rape and widespread looting caused the soviets to lose the hearts and minds of the majority of the East Germans.

A very well researched account of an unknown chapter in European history.Too much is devoted to the Berlin Wall.Little is devoted to why the east Germans built it.This book explains why.

I gave this book four stars only as this book is not for the light reader but directed to a very specialized market. ... Read more

Product Description
In the 50 years since the fall of the 12-year Nazi Reich, thousands of books have been written on every conceivable aspect of the subject, each with its own axe to grind. Fischer's book, however, tells the story vividly and well, providing the most reliable and balanced history to date. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (8)

Best book on this subject
This is an excellent summary on the subject.It would make a first-rate text book.

Reverse David Irving
Much of what Fischer claims about Nazi Germany has been discounted by legitimate historians. For example, the Lebensborn program was not a stud farm for SS supermen and Nordic women to create a new master race, and Ilse Koch did not create lampshades and book covers from the skin of dead Jews.

Every significant figure in the Nazi regime, even those who ultimately had little to do with the persecution and destruction of the Jews in Europe, is portrayed as either a sexual deviant or a sociopath. I seriously doubt the most educated people in Europe would have tolerated such a regime long enough for it to plunge Europe into its most destructive war.

I guess surrendering historical objectivity is a small price to pay to make money and avoid being bullied by the ADL.

EXCELLENT GENERAL HISTORY
Perhaps Fischer's greatest achievment here is in how much he tells us in so short a book.He covers Nazi and German history from the 19th century to 1945 in under 600 pages!!He shows a special gift for writing the most with the (relatively) fewest words.Even those knowing much about the subject will learn a lot from this volume.And Fischer knows what should and should not be included in a book of this kind.This work will be a valuable addition to any historical library.

I particularly enjoyed the section on the Weimer Republic and the 20's.Most books skip over this period, saying only that the Republic was democratic and flawed, and that Hitler sought to destroy it.Fischer gives us an in depth look at this society, and explains how its insecurities contributed to the disaster to come.

I only wish the book had been a bit longer.There is only so much one can include in a one volume work, I know, but a few hundred more pages would have made it truly outstanding.

Readable one-volume account
For a comprehensive overview of the Third Reich, Fischer's book is one of the best single-volume works on the market. It's eminently readable on all aspects of Nazi society: the sham politics, the ruthless military ethos, the imposition of one man's psychosis on the policies of an entire nation. The opening chapter, "The Origins of Totalitarianism" is a cogent synthesis of the historical strains from which the darkest period of the 20th century emerged: Germany's anti-modernism, which stretched back to the Enlightenment; the economic breakdown, political instability, and unraveling of civil society which the Versailles Treaty wrought; and the scapegoating of two groups which Hitler believed were a mortal threat to the country--the Communists and the Jews.

There Is Something Severly Wrong With This Guy's Thinking!
Any author who thinks that Hindenburg was loyal to the Weimar Republic is out of his mind.There wasn't a German alive who liked it and to say that somebody was loyal to it is ludecrous.He also implies that Hitler outwitted Hindenburg to gain the chancellorship.That's also crazy.Hitler just got lucky that Papen underestimated him when he used him in his plot to try to gain the chancellorship for himself (which failed obviously). In fact I don't believe that Hitler and Hindenburg had any interaction at all on the subject (except of course when he was sworn in).The matter was proposed to Hitler through Papen.If Fischer could be so off base on such a basic concept, I shudder to think about how acurate the rest of the information in this book is.

NOTE:This is not an uninformed opinion.I have compared this book with others by Burleigh, Kershaw, Machtan, and Turner on similar subjects.

My recomendation is to forget about this book and get Kershaw's book Hitler: 1889-1936 Hubris.It's actually more of a biography of Hiter's power. I found it to be a much more logical, coherent, and enlightening book. ... Read more

Product Description
This history offers a powerful and original account of Germany from the eve of the French Revolution to the end of World War One.

This book is not available from Blackwell in the United States and the Philippines. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

A wonderful read for amateur history buffs as well as academics
The twentieth-century history of Germany is well known by casual readers of history--but how did that very important nation come into existence? David Blackbourn's History of Germany, 1780-1918 answers that question dramatically and with eloquence. His book was written for serious students and, I'd assume, fellow academics, but Blackbourn employs a wonderful narrative sweep that will also grab the interest of non-specialists like me. It's all here--the separate Germanic kingdoms and their very different responses to decades of revolution that erupted largely from out of neighboring France between the 1780s and 1848, the formation and expansion of a modern unified nation during the time of Bismarck, events leading to World War I, the disorder that followed the war, theHohenzollern dynasty's fall, and the founding of the ill-fated Weimar Republic. There is plenty of rich social and cultural history here, too--the rise of Berlin and Germany's other major cities, as well as the importance of the German industrialists, artists, philosophers, and composers who have left their mark on all of Western civilization. David Blackbourn brings this big story vividly to life in a book that both academics and amateur history buffs can enjoy.

The news that really mattered for a change
A tremendously competent piece of research, which portrays and measures wave after wave of social change. For example Blackbourn shows the rise of women in public service vocations, which quickly surpassed the numbers of clergymen or members of religious orders. By the 1880s and 90s their efforts generated whole new industries in previously unvalued"welfare" work -- mother and child welfare, campaigns to eradicate tuberculosis and venereal disease, to raise awareness about nutrition or implement standards for sanitation and housing. In Germany, Fürsorge (welfare) became a catchword for a hundred newly popular initiatives to "improve" people's lives and relations.

Blackbourn captures the kinds of news that mattered more than the same old political and military contests.

Great for German History buffs
I took my time researching material to find a solid source on Germany. This book has facts, and gives readers a chance to learn about a Country which is known for very few things. ... Read more

Product Description
For poets, priests, and politicians--and especially ordinary Germans--in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, the image of the loving nuclear family gathered around the Christmas tree symbolized the unity of the nation at large. German Christmas was supposedly organic, a product of the winter solstice rituals of pagan "Teutonic" tribes, the celebration of the birth of Jesus, and the age-old customs that defined German character. Yet, as Joe Perry argues, Germans also used these annual celebrations to contest the deepest values that held the German community together: faith, family, and love, certainly, but also civic responsibility, material prosperity, and national belonging.

This richly illustrated volume explores the invention, evolution, and politicization of Germany's favorite national holiday. According to Perry, Christmas played a crucial role in public politics, as revealed in the militarization of "War Christmas" during World War I and World War II, the Nazification of Christmas by the Third Reich, and the political manipulation of Christmas during the Cold War. Perry offers a close analysis of the impact of consumer culture on popular celebration and the conflicts created as religious, commercial, and political authorities sought to control the holiday's meaning. By unpacking the intimate links between domestic celebration, popular piety, consumer desires, and political ideology, Perry concludes that family festivity was central in the making and remaking of public national identities. ... Read more

Product Description
In a remarkably vibrant narrative, Michael Stürmer blends high politics, social history, portraiture, and an unparalleled command of military and economic developments to tell the story of Germany’s breakneck rise from new nation to Continental superpower. It begins with the German military’s greatest triumph, the Franco-Prussian War, and then tracks the forces of unification, industrialization, colonization, and militarization as they combined to propel Germany to become the force that fatally destabilized Europe’s balance of power. Without The German Empire’s masterly rendering of this story, a full understanding of the roots of World War I and World War II is impossible. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

book review
book arrived promptly as promised and was well packaged.excellent condition! a thoroughly satisfactory transaction.my thanks to the vendor and five stars!!!

concise bridge from feudal states to nation
I can't say I'm very interested in the national and indutrial development of germany prior to WWI. That's probably why I liked this book so much. Its short and to the point.

I'm a casual reader of history and have mostly focused thusfar on pre-Napoleonic times. I've wanted to move on to WW1 era history but felt that I didn't really understand how Germany became such an international player in the intervening years. It always play a second fiddle to France and Britain. This book fills in the gaps quickly and concisely. I feel confident now to pick up a nice book on WW1 without complete ignorance of Germany's status and motivations prior to the war. I almost feel that this is the niche that the author intended to fill as there is a tragic sense of foreshadowing throughout the text.

There are probably more complete (and much longer) books available on this part of German history, but this one suited my needs perfectly. A good answer to that age-old question - whatever happened to Prussia? ... Read more

Product Description
From an acclaimed historian and social critic, a passionate and poignant history of German Jews from the mid-eighteenth century to the eve of the Third Reich

As it's usually told, the story of the German Jews starts at the end, with their tragic demise in Hitler's Third Reich. Now, in this important work of historical restoration, Amos Elon takes us back to the beginning, chronicling a period of achievement and integration that at its peak produced a golden age second only to the Renaissance.

Writing with a novelist's eye, Elon shows how a persecuted clan of cattle dealers and wandering peddlers was transformed into a stunningly successful community of writers, philosophers, scientists, tycoons, and activists. He peoples his account with dramatic figures: Moses Mendelssohn, who entered Berlin in 1743 through the gate reserved for Jews and cattle, and went on to become "the German Socrates"; Heinrich Heine, beloved lyric poet who famously referred to baptism as the admission ticket to European culture; Hannah Arendt, whose flight from Berlin signaled the end of the German-Jewish idyll. Elon traces how this minority-never more than one percent of the population-came to be perceived as a deadly threat to national integrity, and he movingly demonstrates that this devastating outcome was uncertain almost until the end.

A collective biography, full of depth and compassion, The Pity of It All summons up a splendid world and a dream of integration and tolerance that, despite all, remains the essential ennobling project of modernity.
... Read more

Customer Reviews (17)

Excellent work but a troubling flaw.
Overall, I found this book to be excellent.It is well researched and is possessed of a style that makes the pages fly.I have read other work by Elon and this is his best. My problem is the lack of candor in his assessment of the level and virulent nature of anti-Semitism extant in Germany throughout the last years of the 19th century and the first 25 years of the 20th; well before the advent of the National Socialists.The Holocaust is all too often dismissed as the product of evil leaders leading an innocent nation down the path to barbarism. In reality, as Elon most impressively points out earlier in this work, anti-Semitism was endemic to the very culture of the German nation long before Hitler mesmerized his beer hall audiences. For that reason, I found it frustrating that he seems so surprised at the savagery of the endgame. I would argue that its poison was well entrenched within the psyche of the average "good German" and was only lacking a demagogue to come along and exploit it. If we, as humans, fail to recognize the absolute nonsense engendered in the origins of the myths that drive anti-Semitism as well as the capacity for barbarity within us all, it mayat some point in the not too distant future,result in, pefrhaps, an even more final solution.

The Pity of it all: A History of the Jews of Germant 1743-1933
History of the German Jews in Germany since the 18th Century. It discusses the Jewish Character and how the value priorities were molded to blend in with value priorities in Germany at the time.If you are a German Jew, as I am,you will find the revelations quite painful

Complementary readings
There are so many good reviews on this book that I will only suggest reading the following books on Jews- in addition to Elon's: 1) "A history of the Jews", by Paul Johnson (general and very readable introduction); 2) "How to Read the Bible: A Guide to Scripture, Then and Now" by James L. Kugel; 3) "Les Juifs, Le Monde et L' Argent : Histoire économique du people juif" by Jacques Attali; 4) "Meet the Rabbis: Rabbinic Thought and the Teachings of Jesus" by Brad. H. Youn; 5) "Maimonides" by Abraham Joshua Heschel; and 6)"In an Antique Land" by Amitav Ghosh (I have not read it yet, it is about the thrills of the India trade as portrayed in Goitein's Geniza).

Exhaustive, Erudite but Somewhat One-Sided.
The progress of Jews toward full acceptance in the society of Germany and Austria--or at least Vienna--is traced thoroughly and at length.Writers, politicians, artists and industrialists, all are met here.Of some figures--those of peculiar importance or eccentricity--a whole biography is written.Others are mentioned almost in passing, never to be heard of again. The unique role of the **HofJude** (court Jew) and the **KaiserJude** (Emperor's Jew), these being close to power without actually wielding it, is well explained for readers in democratic America.

The one weakness in the book lies in its failure adequately to explain how things went from sugar to s--t so quickly.It's an account of steady gains, almost a mutual love affair between the Jews who contributed so much and the society that valued them like none other, then suddenly, in the final chapter, it's all taken away and the Jews must flee for their lives as Hitler and the Nazis come to power.

There is a bit more to the story but you will read little of it here. Even the most sympathetic chronicler has acknowledged that along with the flowering of art, literature and theater during the Weimar Republic came a fair amount of decadence and depravity.Many sectors of German society, those from the rural areas especially, were deeply offended by what went on in smart-set Berlin in the twenties, and by the alienated political commentary of some Jewish writers of the time which was intended to wound and did so.

Perhaps little of this was perceived at the time.Elon seems hardly to perceive it in retrospect, devoting all of two sentences on the second to last page to the excesses of the Weimar period.

Oustanding, disturbing and engaging
This is one of the finest books I have read in a long time. Believe it or not, I heard about it from a Q and A with the actress Natalie Portman who recommended the book. The writer tells the history of the relationship between the Jewish population and theirneighbors and German governnment. It ends in 1933, and points out ways in which the Jews tried to assimilate but were never able to please their government enough. It opened my eyes to 200 years of life before Hitler and how he was a cog in the machinery of the sickness of anti semitism. There are many personal examples of characters, their brilliance and fortitude to always try to "make things work" between them and their government. It is a heartbreaking book but one which should be read for Jews and Christians alike. ... Read more

Product Description
This is a reproduction of a book published before 1923.This book may have occasional imperfections such as missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. that were either part of the original artifact, or were introduced by the scanning process.We believe this work is culturally important, and despite the imperfections, have elected to bring it back into print as part of our continuing commitment to the preservation of printed works worldwide.We appreciate your understanding of the imperfections in the preservation process, and hope you enjoy this valuable book. ... Read more

Product Description
The Germans are an enigma not only to the rest of the world but also to themselves. As it turns out, Germans spend great amounts of time discussing their puzzling heritage and culture; in fact, discussing almost anything is one of their favourite pastimes. Greg Nees offers an insider's perspective on what it means to be German. He starts with a review of modern German history, and then turns his attention to the major German cultural themes: order, insider/outsider perception, clarity of thought and expression, private versus public spheres, friendship, rationality and the sense of duty and obligation. Germany's social market is also discussed, as is the German need for order, desire for security and sense of responsibility. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (11)

Germany: Unraveling an Enigma
This book is everything the description stated.I am really enjoying it and getting an insight on Germany and the people.It has helped me understand my German heritage and my grandparents/family a whole lot more.

A Very Fun Read for Those of Us With German Blood
I purchased this book on the recommendation of a friend but with reluctance because I simply cannot take another book that dwells on the evils of Germans and states and/or implies that Nazism is the greatest evil known to mankind as an axiom upon which all German history must be based, both past and present. This book was a refreshing surprise. It barely touches the subject, instead it focuses upon the real day to day thought processes and communication methods used by Germans in a variety of arenas, as well as providing a very brief, but likely helpful to many readers, overview of German history. As a German-American I found myself smiling throughout the book as my personality was described almost flawlessly, with a few Americanisms thrown in for good measure, of course. It also prompted many memories of my first trip to Germany, the first few days of which I was furious at all the stares I was receiving every time I entered a pub, restaurant, etc. In parts of the USA the expressionless staring I received could get you shot! This certainly includes every American city I have ever lived in so I felt constantly under attack for the first 48 hours until I simply realized that it is just "what they do" in Germany. I was quite taken aback by this. If only I'd had this book with me at the time. (Note to Germans: We Americans are very easy to spot. We know this. So please don't stare at us. We don't like it. Thank you.)My only criticism is the author's continued insistence that genetics play no part in behavior and that culture is the crucial deciding factor in behavior. This is simply not true, as any informed reader ought to know. Clearly this was an attempt by Nees to soften and/or evade the issue of Nazism and perhaps, in this context, it is just as well as this is not an historical book per se. I would urge anyone interested in Germany, about to travel there, or any German about to travel to the States to read this book. There is a lot to learn and Nees does a wonderful job at explaining and clarifying issues that might increase tension between personal interactions if not known beforehand. One of the most enjoyable books I have read in a long time. A light, fun read certain to bring a smile while provoking thought.

Wonderful book, though possibly a little dated
Other than the fact that this book is probably somewhat dated (it was written in the late 90's), I cannot complain about this book.

On to what I love about this wonderful gem of a book. I am an American, and have no idea when my ancestors came over from Germany, but I do know it was no earlier than the mid-1800's. Our German heritage has never really been discussed amongst my family. Not out of shame, but probably just disinterest- for everyone but me. I have always been proud to be a descendent of Germany, though, until I read this book, I couldn't really articulate why.

Reading this book, in some ways, felt like coming home. I was amazed at how much of the German ways are still in me and my family. It must be genetic, but it still astounded me.

I really learned a lot about both old Germany and modern Germany. I liked the decisiveness the author spoke of about the German people, and it was obvious that the author held the Germans in high regard.

He did not flinch from his talk about Nazism, nor did he dwell on it. It was a part of the book, but not a big part. The Germans have done much to try and make up for what happened in WWII, some of which the author talks about. He makes no excuses, but also doesn't focus on placing blame. It was a refreshing and objective look at the whole subject.

Most of all, I was astounded at the difference between Americans and Germans in terms of the business world. As a long-time office worker, I was admittedly jealous of the organized ways and practicality the Germans seem to display in business, as well as the forthright manner in which they handle situations. I loved how the author stressed how thorough and deliberate the German people are (as a whole, of course, I don't mean to stereotype anyone). I really respect the strong work ethic balanced with the demand by employees of 6 weeks of vacation time and no or little overtime to work. American employers and employees can learn a great deal from this book. In fact, I think that it should be required reading for all American managers.

I think that anyone who is curious about Germany must read this book. I re-read it every year or so and get more out of it every time. It is the best I have found on the subject of post-war Germany.

Understanding Germany
"Germany - Unraveling an Enigma" is an important book to read for anyone who has business or personal dealings with the German people.I believe it is important to enter another culture with some understanding of how they are similar and different from us.The first half of the book focuses on personal interactions for successful communication. The second half is more useful for business people and is full of helpful information on social market economy, their views of business, the role of banking, and their identity within the EU.Another book helpful for travelers is "Germany - Culture Shock!" which is written in a less academic writing style but also contains a wealth of information.I believe misperceptions occur when people see others through shaded lenses based on their own cultures and it is vital to understand others in their comfort zones.

Must read for any American working or living in Germany
This book may be a little out dated here and there (thats why only 4 star) but it still serves the purpose nonetheless.I studied abroad in Germany for 6 months and this gave me an amazing insight into the culture of Germany.Put it on as your #1 on your reading list while in Germany or before going.It will help you cope very well.My other study abroad friends also found it very insightful.

It is also a nice quick well thought out book. ... Read more

Product Description
This text is appropriate for introductory college level courses on 20th Century Germany History, the History of Nazi Germany, or 20th Century European History.The text is a brief, yet comprehensive survey of the Third Reich based on current research findings and written for students and general readers who want a deeper view of this period in German history. This text provides a balanced approach in examining Hitler's role in the history of the Third Reich. Coverage ranges from the economic, social, and political forces that made possible the rise and growth of Nazism as well as the institutional, cultural, and social life of the Third Reich, the Second World War, and the Holocaust. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (8)

As Described
I got this book quickly. It was in great condition, as the seller said it would be.

Excellent
Amazing book on Hitler and the Nzai state that he created.Offers great information and is very easy to read.A must have for anyone who is interested in Hitler or the Nazis.I would reccomend this book to anyone, it is an excellent book.

Good condition
The book was delivered sooner then I expected. Was delivered in a bettercondition, then described. I will definitly purchase from this seller in the future.

Hitler and Nazi Germany
This book is an excellent look at Nazi Germany and it arrived quickly.I needed it as my textbook for a class and it came extremely fast and was a great buy.

Great Place to Start for an introduction to Hitler and Nazi Germany
This is a comprehensive introduction to Hitler and Nazi Germany; it is not by any means a briefhistory of WW II. While the war is mentioned within the context of looking at Nazi history, the book focuses on Hitler, the rise of the Social Democrats, and how the Nazi party affected the people, economy, social, political and artistic life within Germany.There is also focus on the "Final Solution" - Hitler's maniacal obsession with anti-semitism. But that is just one facet of this complete study.

The book is perhaps most valuable for the bibliography at the end of each chapter which extensive readings for further study. Recommended for students starting serious study of the period, or others just wanting to know how such evil could so easily infect one of the most cultured, civilized countries in Europe. Or perhaps, how the victors of World War One could have so blindly imposed penalties and reparations that created the desperation within Germany that allowed Hitler to easily fill the void. ... Read more

Product Description

The word "German" was being used by the Romans as early as the mid–first century B.C. to describe tribes in the eastern Rhine valley. Nearly two thousand years later, the richness and complexity of German history have faded beneath the long shadow of the country's darkest hour in World War II. Now, award-winning historian Steven Ozment, whom The New Yorker has hailed as "a splendidly readable scholar," gives us the fullest portrait possible in this sweeping, original, and provocative history of the German people, from antiquity to the present, holding a mirror up to an entire civilization -- one that has been alternately Western Europe's most successful and most perilous.

Customer Reviews (27)

A good introduction to Germans through history
This is a hard type of book to really write about as many who are commenting are very well versed on German history.I have allot of knowledge in the first half of the 20th Century German history, simply as World War 2 was the gateway drug to my love of history 40 years ago.The problem I have had with German history has been that much of the 18th and 19th Century work that is out there is fairly dense reading and if one doesn't have a pretty good idea of what the threads and themes of the German people are it is difficult to read on Frederick the Great, Bismarck or Weimar without the feeling that everything leads to the Third Reich, and that cloud is a tough one to get past to understand Germany.

A Mighty Fortress is a good book to either reacquaint one self with German history if you have not read much lately on the subject or are wanting a quick introduction to the German people.If you are able to quote Gordon Craig's works you probably do not need this book in your library.In my case I have Gordon Craig as well as Erich Eyck and the multi volume Bismarck bio by Otto Pflanze and I have gotten lost reading them as I did not know much about pre-1914 German history.This book is a good starting point to helping me understand the history I have to read, even if some of what is written in this book may have been minor factual errors - like the Maginot Line error some have pointed out.But when you cover World War 2 in 3 paragraphs some aspects may have gotten distorted in the process.However for the general reader you don't buy this book for a detailed look at the Third Reich for that get Richard Evans excellent trilogy.This book gives a good introductory look at the German people, for those who want that the book is recommended

Now off to start Iron Kingdom by Christopher Clark.

Weak history of the German People
I've read Ozemont before (his Reformation book was OK), but this is a mess.I came to it looking for a brief overview of German history to fill in some blanks, but instead found a mash-up between a looking back from WWII and an attempt at that brief history.What results has the worst of both...in fact, for a German history, there is no worse remark I can level than to say that it simply isn't nearly thorough enough...

If Ozemont wanted to do something about how the Nazis raped German history for their own ends, that's another book.Not this one.

Mixed bag
The author skims over huge sections of both Germanic prehistory and German history, though the sections that he does spend more time on are rewarding and elegant. An extensive list of notes at the end of the book is helpful for those who want to read more detail about certain time periods and people. The book's maps are a joke, and look like a graduate student drew them up on a computer during their spare time.

The section on modern post WWII Germany did make my German in-laws laugh due to the snobbish, professorial, and esoteric vivisection of the country and it's people. All in all, an introductory book, and probably better than most general survey books in European History, though seemingly thin gruel in some parts.

terrible book - not sure what the author was trying to accomplish
This book claims to be a history of the german people that does not confuse the very long history of the germans with the brief history of nazi germany, but the author time and again tries to frame incidents and historical eras that take place over a thousand years of history within the prisam of the nazi experience - exactly the 'sin' the author complains about when discussing other modern histories of germany.In addition, the book has numerous factual errors and skips many important facets of german history.Perhaps the task the author set for himself was too ambitious for such a short work and beyond his abilities as a writer.It also seems that the author has some kind of polical agenda that surfaces in the last chapters of the book - like many germanophiles and prussian apologists he bashes the french/american conception of individual libety as excessive and dangerous and glorifies the state as the protector of an orderly and balanced society against the chaos of liberty.This is the kind of confused thinking that gave us an autocratic and militaristic imperial germany which, after its military and economic collapse, eventually evolved into the totalitarian nazi germany.For someone who claims to be an expert on german history, this author has not learned very much from that history.In any case, this book was a waste of my time and I'm not sure who it could possibly appeal to except for someone who has almost no knowledge of European history in general and does not want to do the hard work required to educate himself.

Lost in non-significant details
I was really disappointed. I expected a carefully researched overview outlining the significant events and how they have impacted on and shaped German history. Instead the author gets lost in too many insignificant details. The only reason I rated this one-star is because there is not any other option. "The Germans," by Gordon Craig, is vastly superior and a very informative work.The research is presented in a lively, interesting, fun to read style. ... Read more

Product Description
This engaging textbook provides a broad survey of modern German history from 1800-2000, and situates Germany’s fragmented past within its full context. Kitchen:

• Provides readers a long view of German history, allowing them to see continuities and changes
  
• Covers the unification of Germany, the German Empire, the Weimar Republic, the Third Reich, the Federal Republic, the collapse of Communism, and the re-unification
  
• Examines cultural history as well as political and economic history
  
• Includes coverage of regional history rather than focusing on the dominant role of Prussia

Customer Reviews (3)

I still Gotta' get to It, BUT.....
From what I've seen of It, It looks like It has "Collage-Grade" Qualities...YUP.!The research must be what drove the Author CrAzY....HAR..!G-G

Great read on Incredible Nation's History
I bought this book for a college class on German History. I went into reading this book with high hopes for a better understanding of Germany's role in World War I and my faith was rewarded greatly. I couldn't believe the amount of interesting information there was on this amazing nation and give great regards to the author Martin Kitchen for turning my brain in this direction. I currently have much interest in the German Monarchy of 1871-1918 and may want to study it in graduate school. I thank this book for everything it has taught me and hope many other readers develop the same understanding.

A very good read for a textbook
Unlike all of the previous History textbooks I've read, this one is actually enjoyable to read. ... Read more

Product Description

MySearchLab provides students with a complete understanding of the research process so they can complete research projects confidently and efficiently. Students and instructors with an internet connection can visit www.MySearchLab.com and receive immediate access to thousands of full articles from the EBSCO ContentSelect database. In addition, MySearchLab offers extensive content on the research process itself—including tips on how to navigate and maximize time in the campus library, a step-by-step guide on writing a research paper, and instructions on how to finish an academic assignment with endnotes and bibliography.­

Covering the entire period of modern German history–from nineteenth century imperial Germany right through 2007–this well-established book engages readers with its narrative, problem-focused approach, presenting a balanced, general survey of the country's political division in 1945 and reunification in the present. Detailing foreign policy as well as political, economic, and social developments, it presents a central theme of the problem of asymmetrical modernization in the country's history as it fully explores the complicated path of Germany's troubled past and stable present.  For readers seeking a complete and current history of Germany.

Customer Reviews (2)

modern germany
Bought this for a class, very good overview of this era for Germany. A little dense with stats and facts but gets the job done. Fairly easy to read.

Dense yet Informative and Engaging
I just completed a semester in college studying modern German history using this book as the main written component of the course.Overall, I found it to be an absolutely wonderful companion to the course, so much so that I have decided to keep the book (and forego the money they give us students to sell back our books at the end of the semester *gasp*).When a poor college student would rather have a particular book than money, it is generally a good sign that the book is worth its weight in gold.

Now, I wouldn't go so far to say that this text would make for good bedtime reading, because at times it can be highly dense and there is such an enormous number of people involved in German history that it's hard to keep them all straight.However, the text is written in a very engaging way and if you have all your faculties about you (i.e. probably not wise to drink and try and read this book) I'm certain that you'll keep up and find yourself enjoying it along the way.

Also Americans, I know that many foreigners assume that we have no knowledge or respect of the history of their cultures.Unfortunately, at this early point in my studies this assumption is true for me.However, after having read this book I feel that I can truly begin to grasp how important Germany's history is to the culture of its people and to Europe.It's nice for a change to feel *somewhat* knowledgeable about another culture's roots.

Ultimately, I'd recommend this book to anybody who is SERIOUS about trying to inform themselves about German history, but who usually has a difficult time memorizing dates and numbers.
... Read more

Product Description
This study provides the first comprehensive discussion of conservation in Nazi Germany.Looking at Germany in an international context, it analyses the roots of conservation in the late 19th century, the gradual adaptation of racist and nationalist thinking among conservationists in the 1920s and their indifference to the Weimar Republic.It describes how the German conservation movement came to cooperate with the Nazi regime and discusses the ideological and institutional lines between the conservation movement and the Nazis.Uekoetter further examines how the conservation movement struggled to do away with a troublesome past after World War II, making the environmentalists one of the last groups in German society to face up to its Nazi burden.It is a story of ideological convergence, of tactical alliances, of careerism, of implication in crimes against humanity, and of deceit and denial after 1945.It is also a story that offers valuable lessons for today's environmental movement. ... Read more

Product Description
A study of Germany between 1919 and 1945 for AS and A Level History students. It is designed to fulfil the AS and A Level specifications in place from September 2000. The two AS sections deal with narrative and explanation of the topic. There are extra notes, biography boxes and definitions in the margin, and summary boxes to help students assimilate the information. The A2 section reflects the different demands of the higher level examination by concentrating on analysis and historians' interpretations of the material covered in the AS sections. There are practice questions and hints and tips on what makes a good answer. ... Read more

Product Description
This volume presents a colourful and entertaining overview of German intellectual history by a central figure in its development. Heinrich Heine (1797-1856), famous poet, journalist, and political exile, studied with Hegel and was personally acquainted with the leading figures of the most important generation of German writers and philosophers. In his groundbreaking History he discusses the history of religion, philosophy, and literature in Germany up to his time, seen through his own highly opinionated, politically aware, philosophically astute, and always ironic perspective. This work, and other writings focussing especially on Heine's rethinking of Hegel's philosophy, are presented here in a new translation by Howard Pollack-Milgate. The volume also includes an introduction by Terry Pinkard which examines Heine both in relation to Hegel and Nietzsche and as a thinker in his own right. ... Read more