Europe - by Norman Davies (Paperback)

About the Book

This bestselling masterwork chronicles the entire history of Europe, from the Ice Age to the Information Age, in one fascinating and information-packed volume. "A magisterial work, sweeping in its analysis, illuminating in its insights, and erudite in its scholarship".--Zbigniew Brzezinski. 72 illustrations. 100 maps. Index.

Book 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)

From the Back Cover

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 Quotes

"Davies reveals a comprehensive design, tremendous narrative power, a remarkable gift for compression, and a shrewd sense of overall balance." - New York Review of Books