Synopses & Reviews
One of the most hotly disputed topics in twentieth-century history has been Germany's share of responsibility—its "guilt"—for the outbreak of the two world wars. In this short, penetrating study, Europe's leading authority on German power politics clarifies the dispute and offers insight into this central question about modern Germany.
Review
Compelling...an important accomplishment for anyone with an interest in modern European history. -- Emily Wilson - New Republic
Review
The force, cogency, and subtlety of Hillgruber's presentation is matched only by his unexampled command of documentary materials...It is authoritative and compelling--a modern historical classic that should gain the highest esteem and widest public. -- Kirkus Reviews
Review
[A] masterpiece of historical interpretation...While innumerable works have analyzed the outbreak of both world wars in detail, these few pages present what most scholars regard as the last word on the question of German responsibility in each case...[and] shed considerable light on the entire course of German history. Thus all readers, whether specialties in the subject or not, can profit immensely from Hillgruber's judicious assessment. -- Rudolph Binion
Synopsis
One of the most hotly disputed topics in twentieth-century history has been Germany's share of responsibility--its "guilt"--for the outbreak of the two world wars. In this short, penetrating study, Europe's leading authority on German power politics clarifies the dispute and offers insight into this central question about modern Germany.
About the Author
Andreas Hillgruberis Professor of History, <>University of Cologne.William C. Kirbyis Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences and Edith and Benjamin Geisinger Professor of History <>at Harvard University.
Table of Contents
1. From Great Power Policy to World Policy
2. The Return of the Great Powers to Europe
3. The German Leadership in the Crisis of July 1914
4. New German Foreign Policy Objectives, 1914-1918
5. Hitler's Program
6. Hitler's Foreign Policy and the Alignment of the Powers, 1933-1939
7. Hitler, Stalin, and the British Government: August 1939
8. Hitler's Road to His War, 1940-1941
9. Hitler's World Policy from Triumph to Catastrophe
Notes
Selected Bibliography
Index