Kershaw, Ian,
To Hell and Back : Europe, 1914-1949 / Ian Kershaw. - xxvi, 592 pages ; 5 maps ; 16 unnumbered pages of plates : some colour illustrations, maps ; 1.5 x 5.4 x 8.4 inches. - Penguin history of Europe ; 8. . - Penguin history of Europe ; 8. .
Includes Index
Includes bibliographical references (pages 523-550) and index.
Introduction: Europe's era of self-destruction -- On the brink -- The great disaster -- Turbulent peace -- Dancing on the volcano -- Gathering shadows -- Danger zone -- Towards the abyss -- Hell on earth -- Quiet transitions in the dark decades -- Out of the ashes.
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.
9780143109921 0143109928
1871-1945
World War, 1914-1918--Causes.
World War, 1939-1945--Causes.
War--Causes.
Europe--History--1871-1918.
Europe--History--1918-1945.
Europe.
History.
940.3 KER
To Hell and Back : Europe, 1914-1949 / Ian Kershaw. - xxvi, 592 pages ; 5 maps ; 16 unnumbered pages of plates : some colour illustrations, maps ; 1.5 x 5.4 x 8.4 inches. - Penguin history of Europe ; 8. . - Penguin history of Europe ; 8. .
Includes Index
Includes bibliographical references (pages 523-550) and index.
Introduction: Europe's era of self-destruction -- On the brink -- The great disaster -- Turbulent peace -- Dancing on the volcano -- Gathering shadows -- Danger zone -- Towards the abyss -- Hell on earth -- Quiet transitions in the dark decades -- Out of the ashes.
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.
9780143109921 0143109928
1871-1945
World War, 1914-1918--Causes.
World War, 1939-1945--Causes.
War--Causes.
Europe--History--1871-1918.
Europe--History--1918-1945.
Europe.
History.
940.3 KER