Germany: A New History

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.

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.

Germany: A New History is a great book dealing with the complex history of Germany. Beginning with the time of the Roman empire, to the era of the German states and the Holy Roman Empire, to the German Empire and the Nazi Reich, to the division of Germany and ending with the breaking of the Berlin Wall, this compact, precise history presents the reader with a vivid and easy-to-read narrative. Tons of illustrations and charts are common throughout the book. However, even though I would highly recommend this book as a beginner's history to Germany, the only problem is that, for those scholars who enjoy a visual look at where the history is taking place, this book does not have many maps, and so an historical atlas would be recommended while reading this book.

Schulze willfully wrote Germany's 2,000 year history for the general reader with little or no knowledge of the country's history. His digested account starts from Charlemagne to Frederick the Great to Hitler and ends just before the dawn of the European Union. With four maps, five charts, 56 color illustrations and 59 photos and every page printed on art-book stock, Schulze presents worthy information in this high-quality volume. Interweaving social, economic and cultural events, Schulze leads us through Germany's tumultuous, militant past, telling us about its scientists, theatrical producers and composers. Any book concerning Germany and its history would be remiss without discussing its military leaders, and Germany: A New History is no exception.This elegant, short narrative is a great source for any reader interested in learning more about the Fatherland's Pan-Germanic identity.

It is no easy task to sum up 1,000 or more years of German history in a single volume without descending to banal generalities. Schulze, however, manages his material with great skill. Apart from the accurate and balanced text, the great virtue of the book lies in its many illustrations and photographs. A good one for the Christmas stocking of a general history reader!