EUROPEAN HISTORY: A DETAILED GUIDE ON BOOKS TO READ

Summary

This blog post provides a comprehensive list of books related to European history, politics, and the economy. The books cover a diverse range of topics, including biographies, cultural and mental aspects of the Nuclear War, the rise of nationalism and foreign policies of notable European countries, and specific historical events.

Introduction: A brief description of the list and the topics covered.
Biographies: Books that offer insight into the lives of important political figures.
Culture and Mentalities: Books that delve into the cultural and mental aspects of European society during specific historical events.
Economy: Books that focus on the economy of notable European countries and their impact on the global economy.
Foreign Policy: Books that cover the foreign policies of prominent European countries.
Historical Events: Books that offer an in-depth analysis of specific events that shaped European history.
Conclusion: A summary of the blog post and the importance of reading about European history.

Biographies

The list features various biographies of prominent political figures, including Charles de Gaulle, Enoch Powell, and Helmut Kohl. Jean Lacouture’s ‘De Gaulle’ provides an insight into the life of France’s famous military leader, while Enoch Powell’s political ideology and impact on British politics are detailed in Simon Heffer’s ‘Like the Roman: The Life of Enoch Powell.’ Helmut Kohl’s legacy and impact on German reunification are explored in Hans-Peter Schwarz’s ‘Helmut Kohl: Eine politische Biographie.’

Culture and Mentalities

Books like Timothy Garton Ash’s ‘The Polish Revolution: Solidarity’ and François Furet’s ‘The Passing of an Illusion: The Idea of Communism in the Twentieth Century’ delve into the cultural and mental aspects of life in Europe during specific historical events. ‘The Polish Revolution’ explores how various factors like religion and ideology played a role in Solidarity’s success. On the other hand, Furet’s book looks at the impact Soviet communism had on European societies during the 20th century.

Economy

The European economy’s impact on the global economy is a vital aspect of the continent’s history. Alan Kramer’s ‘The West German Economy 1945-1955’ and Barry Eichengreen’s ‘The European Economy since 1945’ offer a comprehensive analysis of Europe’s economic growth since World War II. Thomas Piketty’s ‘Capital in the Twenty-First Century’ offers a contemporary perspective on the global economy and how it impacts European economic growth.

Foreign Policy

The list covers books that focus on specific European countries’ foreign policies, including Spain and Germany. Paul Lever’s ‘Berlin Rules’ provides an overview of Europe’s current foreign policy landscape. Taras Kuzio’s ‘Putin’s War Against Ukraine’ discusses Russian foreign policy and its impact on Ukraine and Europe as a whole.

Historical Events

The list covers several historical events that shaped Europe’s past, including the French Revolution and the fall of the Soviet Union. Mary Fulbrook’s ‘Anatomy of a Dictatorship: Inside the GDR 1949–1989′ sheds light on East Germany’s history under Soviet control. ’17. Juni 1953 – Zeitzeugen berichten,’ edited by Peter Lange and Sabine Roß, is a compilation of firsthand accounts and discussions about the East German Uprising. John Lewis Gaddis’s ‘We Now Know: Rethinking Cold War History’ offers a revisionist take on the Cold War.

Conclusion

In conclusion, reading about European history, politics, and the economy offers valuable insight into the continent’s past and present. From biographies to books about specific events and cultural and mental aspects, the list covers a diverse range of topics that offer a multifaceted perspective on Europe’s history and its influences on the world today.