European History For Dummies - 2nd Edition by Seán Lang (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

Read about the world's smallest continent's incredible history: From Greek gods and mad Roman emperors to kings, queens, Visigoths, and Normans

You meet Visigoths in Africa and Normans in Sicily; an Italian who talked to his books and another who conquered a kingdom and gave it away; Roman emperors who weren't Roman; and Holy Roman Emperors who weren't holy (or Roman). This is the story of Europe's rich history rolled into one thrilling account in plain English. European History For Dummies takes you on a fascinating journey through the disasters, triumphs, people, power, and politics that have shaped the Europe we know today - and you'll meet some incredible characters along the way! From Roman relics to the Renaissance, World Wars, and Eurovision, this accessible guide packs in the facts alongside fun tidbits and brings the past alive.

You meet the two Catholic kings of Spain (one was a woman) and the Spanish king who never smiled. You discover a German monk who split Europe in two because he was so afraid of going to hell. And what about the great European war that started when two nobles were thrown out of a window onto a dungheap? Well, at least they had a soft landing.

If you don't remember much of what you learned about European history at school, if you didn't like those dry school textbooks, if you think European history sounds a bit hard, but you're interested anyway, this is the book for you. Inside you'll discover:

• The varied history of the world's smallest continent, its origins, and its huge impact on the world
• How the Romans shaped the ancient world, what they learned from the Greeks, and what they lost to the barbarian tribes
• The many battles of the Middle Ages and the leaders who waged them
• The medieval people's great achievements in building and learning
• Europeans' world explorers, including Columbus and Vasco da Gama
• Unfortunate religious wars and the persecution of witches
• Europe's world domination in the 18th and 19th centuries
• The world wars of the 20th century
• European life today

Get your own copy of European History For Dummies to learn all of that and more -- including the ten Europeans who dominated the continent, ten unforgettable dates, and ten European locales you'll absolutely want to visit.

From the Back Cover

Learn about:

• Battles and wars that divided Europe
• Kings, queens and an assortment of dictators
• Europe's growth as an industrial superpower
• The historical foundations of the European Union

A look through Europe's rich history, from the origins of a continent to the modern day

Whether you're a seasoned history buff or a complete novice, European History For Dummies is the perfect guide to the history of a continent full of passion, power and intrigue. From Roman relics and the Renaissance to World Wars and Eurovision, take a fascinating journey through the disasters, triumphs, power struggles and politics that have shaped the Europe we know today. Brimming with facts and stories to bring the past alive, this new edition provides updated information on Europe and its transformation in the 21st century. European History For Dummies packs in the facts alongside the fun and brings the past alive.

• In the beginning - a look into the origins of the continent, the first Europeans and Europe in the Stone Age
• Your ancient history - discover Greek city states and learn about the turbulent times of the Roman Empire
• A light at the end of the tunnel - tour through the Dark Ages and into medieval Europe with the Holy Roman Emperors, Popes and crusaders
• New ideas and new worlds - the Ottoman Empire, the Reformation, the Renaissance and the New World
• Rise to the top - watch on as Europe leads the industrial revolution and exerts its control and domination over the world
• Torn apart - revolutions and World Wars tear the continent apart at the seams

Open the book and find:

• Stone Age to Information Age coverage
• Greeks and Romans running amok
• Castles, knights and the Black Death
• The Reformation and the resulting ruckus
• Napoleon - of course
• The French Revolution and the rise of nationalism
• Europe and the Age of Empire
• Two World Wars and a revolution in Russia
• A colour section packed with historical images

About the Author

Seán Lang, PhD, is the author of the bestselling British History For Dummies, now in its third edition. He is a senior university lecturer in history and has been teaching history to school, college and university students for more than two decades.