In the summer of 1914 most of Europe plunged into a war so catastrophic that it unhinged the continent's politics and beliefs in a way that took generations to recover from. The disaster terrified its survivors, shocked that a civilization that had blandly assumed itself to be a model for the rest of the world had collapsed into a chaotic savagery beyond any comparison. In 1939 Europeans would initiate a second conflict that managed to be even worse - a war in which the killing of civilians was central and which culminated ...
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In the summer of 1914 most of Europe plunged into a war so catastrophic that it unhinged the continent's politics and beliefs in a way that took generations to recover from. The disaster terrified its survivors, shocked that a civilization that had blandly assumed itself to be a model for the rest of the world had collapsed into a chaotic savagery beyond any comparison. In 1939 Europeans would initiate a second conflict that managed to be even worse - a war in which the killing of civilians was central and which culminated in the Holocaust. To Hell and Back tells this story with humanity, flair and originality. Kershaw gives a compelling narrative of events, but he also wrestles with the most difficult issues that the events raise - with what it meant for the Europeans who initiated and lived through such fearful times - and what this means for us.
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New. Brand New! Not Overstocks or Low Quality Book Club Editions! Direct From the Publisher! We're a small town bookstore that loves books and loves it's customers! Buy from US! Trade paperback (US). Glued binding. 640 p. Contains: Illustrations. Penguin History of Europe.
Much was different in Europe before the Traty of Rome was signed in March 1957, which established the European Economic Community on 1 January, 1958, now the EU (European Community). To understand the events that shaped the new European landscape, one really has to go back to the years in European history covered in this book.
Although many books have been written on this subject and the period reviewed by Kershaw in this lucid and scholarly analysis, I think, if one is going to read only one book on this disturbing period in European history, one does not have to look further than this volume. Additionally, it is a treat for readers who are more interested in political history than in detailed narratives of this, that or the other military altercation or battle that took place.