Between Two Fires: Europe's Path in the 1930s

One of the best books on this murky period. The author's format is to put a microscope on a pivotal event in each country that was an important player in the development of European politics and policies which paved the way to WW2. These re-shaped Europe's will and ability to resist Hitler in the 5 short years from 1933-38. I like that he uses these to develop the shades of complexity of the situation, not to package everything up in a neat, simple explanation. Examples: FRANCE. 1933. In the Stavisky Affair and the "twilight of the third republic" yet another emanation of anti-semitism leads to several changes of government and a precarious balance between strong leftists and rightists who bring their grievances into bloody or threatened conflicts in the streets. AUSTRIA. 1934. Socialists and fascists struggled for control of the ruins of the Hapsburg empire center. Fascists conduct a terror campaign eerily similar to Hamas or Hezbollah, and a bloody civil war followed. ENGLAND. 1936. The Jarrow crusade shows how the country's democratic institutions and ideas of how to address grievances operate in stark contrast to the rise of strong men and civil war on the continent. SOVIET UNION. 1933-38. "The revolution eats its children" as endless purges emasculated the army and made the country vulnerable to invasion. Duplicitous Stalin publicly demonized Hitler while cunningly working behind the shadows to be his ally. And on it goes with Spain, Italy and Czechoslovakia. By the 1938 Munich conference we've seen a continent exhausted and still suffering the economic and psychological effects of the horribly mismanaged WW1. Governments have changed hands and most stand on shaky footing. Alliances are shifting. Everyone is tired of war except Hitler who is chomping at the bit. Historians dispute the interpretation of the Munich appeasement. It's clear that, while it bought everyone more "breathing space" to repair military deficiences, that Germany "breathed deeper." The speed of re-positioning alliances should be instructive for us all. Highly recommended reading.

A fantastic and well-written book about the events leading up to WWII. Excellent information for a mere 425 pages!

As a history major, I've read and seen my fair share of books used as texts. This one is a really good one required for my "Age of Dictators" course. It's easy to read and it's really, really interesting. Professor Large appears to be an excellent writer and historian. I am looking forward to reading more of his works.