A Brief History of Germany

A comprehensive exploration of the many events and figures that comprise Germany's history.

The story of Germany, a key player in global diplomatic and economic affairs, is crucial to our understanding of global history and the contemporary world. Covering more than 2,000 years of history, A Brief History of Germany provides a concise account of the events, people, and special customs and traditions that have shaped Germany from ancient times to the present.

Basic facts, a chronology, a bibliography, and a list of suggested readings round out this insightful and comprehensive resource.

Coverage includes:

• Formation of a distinctive German language and culture during the Germanic migrations and the confrontation with Rome
• Consolidation of medieval principalities in the wake of the collapse of Carolingian authority and the construction of the Holy Roman Empire
• Tumultuous events of the Reformation and the devastation of the Thirty Years' War
• Unification of Germany
• Rise of Prussian imperialism in the 19th century
• The two world wars, the rise of Nazism, and the Holocaust
• Experience of a divided Germany during the cold war
• The country's eventual reunification as the Federal Republic of Germany
• Contemporary Germany.