The History of Germany - (Greenwood Histories of the Modern Nations (Hardcover)) Annotated by Eleanor Turk (Hardcover)

About the Book

Presents a history of Germany, from ancient times through 1998, covering key political and economic aspect of each era along with a timeline, brief biographical notes on key individuals, and a bibliographic essay.

Book Synopsis

Every library should replace its outdated histories of Germany with this comprehensive and highly readable narrative history that traces Germany from antiquity through 1998. Unlike earlier studies written before unification, it offers up-to-date information on the Federal Republic of Germany in a refreshing and contemporary perspective without the Cold War rhetoric common to earlier histories. Designed for high school and college students and general readers, it will help readers to understand the complexity of German history. Each of the chapters in the work introduces a distinct period of German history, examining the problems of that era and how they affected subsequent events. Special emphasis is placed on the twentieth century, particularly the two post-World War II German states and their unification.

The work begins with a factual description of the present Federal Republic, with tables and current statistics, to put the history in contemporary context. Eleven chapters trace the chronological history of the Germans from their earliest migrations into Europe to the present. A timeline of events in German history, a section of biographical sketches of key leaders in that history, and an annotated bibliography to help readers delve deeper into particular aspects of German history complete the work.

Review Quotes

?This compendium provides a succinct overview of German historical development from antiquity to the present....A useful introduction to the historical personalities and events that have formed and continue to influence Germany at the close of the twentieth century.?-American Reference Books Annual

?Turk's very readable and concise book is designed to offer students and interested nonstudents a current and analytically structured history of Germany....Turk's scholarly analysis of Germany after 1990 very effectively introduces the reader to the issues surrounding the possible European integration of national states. There is a 'Timeline of Historical Events, ' a section entitled 'Notable People in the History of Germany, ' and a superb annotated bibliography. General readers; undergraduates.?-Choice

"This compendium provides a succinct overview of German historical development from antiquity to the present....A useful introduction to the historical personalities and events that have formed and continue to influence Germany at the close of the twentieth century."-American Reference Books Annual

"Turk's very readable and concise book is designed to offer students and interested nonstudents a current and analytically structured history of Germany....Turk's scholarly analysis of Germany after 1990 very effectively introduces the reader to the issues surrounding the possible European integration of national states. There is a 'Timeline of Historical Events, ' a section entitled 'Notable People in the History of Germany, ' and a superb annotated bibliography. General readers; undergraduates."-Choice

About the Author

ELEANOR L. TURK is Professor of History emerita at Indiana University East. Her book The History of Germany (Greenwood, 1999) was named an Outstanding Academic Title by the American Library Association's Choice Magazine.