Swiss History in a Nutshell

by Grégoire Nappey, Mix & Remix (Illustrator), Robert Middleton (Translator)

Swiss History in a Nutshell gives you an easy-to-read insight into - the most fascinating moments in Switzerland's rich and colourful history - from its cavemen to its conquests, foundation, growth, independence and prosperity - Switzerland's surprising past as a leading military power in Europe - how Swiss democracy matured through several revolutions - the origins of Swiss cultural differences and how they were overcome to create a stable federal republic - how Switzerland's direct democracy, consensus politics and legendary good industrial relations were achieved. Cartoons (naughty and nice) illustrate this kaleidoscope of key events that have created Switzerland as it is today.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Travel, France

96 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2007

Reviews

[Beatrice · Rating 3 out of 5]

Written in a very straightforward style with a subtle dash of eye-winking thrown in. The design style may give the impression that this book is humoristic or lightweight, but in fact it is very thorough. I learned a good deal.

[penelopewanders]

This was lent to me as I am trying to learn more about the country I have been living in for over 20 years. This was quite fun and certainly entertaining- also to a certain extent quite educational. A nice switch from the more academic and denser descriptions of how the parliament works and the various branches of the government.

[Brent · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book. Full of information, some things my did not even know. example . In the late 60s the Swiss purchased tons of nuclear material so as to build a nuclear bomb. The project was later abandoned.

[Sandrine · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really like this series but I feel like the subject matter of this one doesn't lend itself as well to the bullet point and short format that is used in these books. Still very interesting and a nice, short summary of the most important historical developments in Switzerland

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short, to the point, informative for a brief overview.

[Jakub Bryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting read for a new expat to Switzerland, but… Most of the book is constructed as “bullet-point” lists of facts and figures. It would be much easier and funnier to read, when it would be presented in a more narrative way. The second point is that the book is very biased. It presents Switzerland and Swiss only in a very positive way, while the truth is that every nation has its ups and downs. For example, the book mention briefly the Bergier commission report (set up to shed some light on the Swiss relations with the Nazis during WW2), but you would get much more even on this topic by reading Wikipedia. Mentioning some uncomfortable truth would add credibility. Despite these drawbacks, I still do recommend it for expats.

[Tom · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another good offering from Swiss publisher Bergli. If you're going to try to make your way through the bewildering array of shifting alliances, wars and invading tribes of the Swiss lands during the Middle Ages, this is the way to do it: illustrated, bullet points, and a touch of dry humor. On the other hand, Switzerland of the 20th and 21st centuries deserves and requires more than what is presented in this book. A nice starting point for those who wish to take a deeper dive into Swiss history. The early maps and canton-by-canton profiles are a significant plus.

[Roger · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun little paperback outlining Swiss history from the beginning to the present. It does explain Switzerland’s role during WWII where they were technically neutral, but traded with both Germany and Italy and provided munitions, while limiting Jewish immigration and ‘hiding’ German gold and wealth stolen from Jews killed in the Holocaust. They have a strong Canton (state) governments with a relatively weaker national government.

[Ruppert Baird · Rating 5 out of 5]

Switzerland sees its nationhood as beginning in 1291. Amazingly, this short tract starts the history from 100,000 B.C. to 2016.

Obviously deserving of a substantial volume (volumes?) on its history, this book is a VERY basic intro into one of the more unique small nations on the planet. Clever and witty, it skims the nation's history. A fun read, but it certainly will only whet you appetite.

[Angeliki · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice little book about the history of Switzerland in bullet points and comics... A bit superficial but perfect for practicing french which was my main goal! Maybe the next review will be in french... ;-)

[Sandrine · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great summary of swiss history, though I sometimes wish it'd go a little more in detail so I'd have a better understanding. Includes all the major events though a little dry and difficult to understand at times.

[Gustavo Barroso · Rating 5 out of 5]

Um resumo da história da Suiça, apresentado de forma clara e muito interessante. É acompanhada de bastantes desenhos carregados de humor que facilitam a leitura. Apesar de parecer um livro juvenil, julgo adaptar-se igualmente a um público adulto com interesses na história deste rico país.

[Jorge Quiroz · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book tells Swiss history in a very easy and straightforward way. I found it very insightful.

[Kelli Bonin · Rating 1 out of 5]

Quite dry so it took me a long time to finish. But a great little summary of Swiss history!

[Miller Wortham · Rating 3 out of 5]

Meets expectations. Quick, easy, bare bones outline of Swiss history. Helpful prep reading before a trip.

[Alejandro Paulovitch]

Belle pays, belle histoire mais comme toujours, c'est la gauche que veut détruire la gloire du pays. Je continue à préférer la confédération et non la fédération actuelle de 1999

[Olivia O'Leary · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fun but very informative summary of Swiss history from Celtic times to the present day. I learned a lot.

[Sergio Frosini · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bignamino della storia svizzera. Un rapido e simpatico excursus neanche troppo autoelogiativo, anzi non privo di qualche puntina critica (sulla II Guerra Mondiale, sul voto alle donne, sugli immigrati...), merito anche delle vignette di Mix & Remix, che già conoscevo come firma satirica.

[Cristián Mansilla · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think this book is a great start to make an idea about the History of Switzerland. I had only 2 months in this country, and this book really help me to understand culture behind the history. However, if you're a fanatic of history, this book is not for you.

[Roni · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is a terrific book to do a quick reading about Switzerland - how Switzerland comes together to become Switzerland.

[Victoria · Rating 4 out of 5]

fun in history

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bien présenté et clair. Cependant, les petits encadrés dans les marges répétaient souvent les éléments du texte principal.

[Ryan Hatmaker · Rating 4 out of 5]

A brief and precise overview of Swiss history, well done for the intended purpose

[Carmen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thumbs pressed!!!