Synopses & Reviews
Here is a masterpiece of historical narrative that stretches from the Ice Age to the Atomic Age, as it tells the story of Europe, East and West. Norman Davies captures it all-the rise and fall of Rome, the sweeping invasions of Alaric and Atilla, the Norman Conquests, the Papal struggles for power, the Renaissance and the Reformation, the French Revolution and the Napoleonic Wars, Europe's rise to become the powerhouse of the world, and its eclipse in our own century, following two devastating World Wars. This is the first major history of Europe to give equal weight to both East and West, and it shines light on fascinating minority communities, from heretics and lepers to Gypsies, Jews, and Muslims. It also takes an innovative approach, combining traditional narrative with unique features that help bring history alive: 299 time capsules scattered through the narrative capture telling aspects of an era. 12 -snapshots offer a panoramic look at all of Europe at a particular moment in history. Full coverage of Eastern Europe—100 maps and diagrams, 72 black-and-white plates.All told, Davies's Europe represents one of the most important and illuminating histories to be published in recent years.
Review
"It takes a good deal of skill to accomplish the task Davies sets for himself, to write a general yet useful history of Europe in a single, readable volume. Davies masterfully guides us through the centuries on the continent, taking us from the Stone Age to the Atomic Age. His insight manifests itself in numerous areas, from the impact of scientific discovery on day-to-day life to the persistent, often overwhelming influence of the Roman Catholic Church. That chapter I covers the first five million years and chapters XI and XII (of a total twelve) span only the 20th century suggests that Europe has become a more complicated, if not more interesting, place. In range and erudition, originality of structure and eloquence, it represents a signal contribution to that body of scholarship which is both highly academic and highly accessible.Europe: A History is particularly timely and relevant as an increasingly diverse America contemplates Europe's future and its own.
" Reviewed by Daniel Weiss, Virginia Quarterly Review (Copyright 2006 Virginia Quarterly Review)
Synopsis
""Europe" is a magisterial work, sweeping in its analysis, illuminating in its insights and erudite in its scholarship."
Synopsis
Chapter 1. Peninsula: Environment and Prehistory
Chapter 2. Hellas: Ancient Greece
Chapter 3. Roma: Ancient Rome (c. 753 BC-337 AD)
Chapter 4. Origo: The Birth of Europe (c. 330-800 AD)
Chapter 5. Medium: The Middle Age (c. 750-1270)
Chapter 6. Pestis: Christendom in Crisis (c. 1250-1493)
Chapter 7. Renatio: Renaissances and Reformations (c. 1450-1670)
Chapter 8. Lumen: Enlightenment and Absolutism (c. 1650-1789)
Chapter 9. Revolutio: A Continent in Turmoil (c. 1770-1815)
Chapter 10. Dynamo: Powerhouse of the World (1815-1914)
Chapter 11. Tenebrae: Europe in Eclipse (1914-1945)
Chapter 12. Divisa et Indivisa: Europe Divided and Undivided (1945-1991)
Synopsis
"Europe
is a magisterial work, sweeping in its analysis, illuminating in its insights and erudite in its scholarship."
"Europe
brims with learning, crackles with common sense, coruscates with wit and abounds in good judgement."
"A master of broad-brushstroke analysis, Davies navigates through the larger historical currents with the detail necessary to a well-written engaging narrative." -- Publishers Weekly?(starred review)