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History of Germany: A Captivating Guide to German History, Starting from 1871 through the First World War, Weimar Republic, and World War II to the Present
Did you know that Germany is a relatively new country? Its many different states only united in 1871, and it reunited after the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989.
Germany is one of the richest and most influential countries in the world, which is amazing when you consider that the nation is only about the size of the US states of Oregon and Washington combined. It’s even more astounding when you consider that at the end of World War II, every major German city (and many minor ones) had been flattened by the Allied bombing campaign. Still more amazing is that the country has gone from international pariah and home of the Holocaust to one of the most well-regarded and humanitarian nations on Earth.
In this book, you find out more about:
The intrigue and wars of the famous “Iron Chancellor” Otto von Bismarck and how his political maneuverings united the German states into one
The bizarre upbringing and strident personality of Kaiser Wilhelm II
The rise of Germany to world power between 1871 and 1914
The reasons for Germany entering World War One
The German experience of World War One and its startling defeat
The Versailles Treaty and why it was hated by most Germans
The horrible hyperinflation of the early 1920s when the German government printed 100-billion mark notes that were worthless
Anti-Semitism in Germany and Europe
The wild culture of Weimar Berlin
The rise of Hitler and why it happened
Hitler’s Germany and WWII
The post-war division of Germany
The Berlin Wall
The reunification of Germany in 1989 and more
Germany is one of the richest and most influential countries in the world, which is amazing when you consider that the nation is only about the size of the US states of Oregon and Washington combined. It’s even more astounding when you consider that at the end of World War II, every major German city (and many minor ones) had been flattened by the Allied bombing campaign. Still more amazing is that the country has gone from international pariah and home of the Holocaust to one of the most well-regarded and humanitarian nations on Earth.
In this book, you find out more about:
The intrigue and wars of the famous “Iron Chancellor” Otto von Bismarck and how his political maneuverings united the German states into one
The bizarre upbringing and strident personality of Kaiser Wilhelm II
The rise of Germany to world power between 1871 and 1914
The reasons for Germany entering World War One
The German experience of World War One and its startling defeat
The Versailles Treaty and why it was hated by most Germans
The horrible hyperinflation of the early 1920s when the German government printed 100-billion mark notes that were worthless
Anti-Semitism in Germany and Europe
The wild culture of Weimar Berlin
The rise of Hitler and why it happened
Hitler’s Germany and WWII
The post-war division of Germany
The Berlin Wall
The reunification of Germany in 1989 and more
- GenresHistoryNonfiction
246 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 7, 2021
137 people are currently reading
116 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
March 20, 2022
Thanks to Captivating History for this ARC in exchanged for an honest review.
As a WWII history buff, I could say that I am very familiar with the WWII European theater, but not so much of the late 1800s. It was a good informative read for me, as to how Germany was formed of multiple German principalities, kingdoms, states and in the middle of Europe, when Prussia, with the Austrian Empire, Barvaria and Hanover. Of course, Prussia and Austrians were where the initial story of Germany started.
We see were the start of German history was modest enough. Prussia, Austria, the Great War and the disasterous Treaty of Versailles, the Weimar republic, Hitler, anti-semitism and the rise of Nazi Germany.
It IS a great survey of the history of Germany through to present day. I did not find it boring, hopefully you will enjoy this book as much as I.
As a WWII history buff, I could say that I am very familiar with the WWII European theater, but not so much of the late 1800s. It was a good informative read for me, as to how Germany was formed of multiple German principalities, kingdoms, states and in the middle of Europe, when Prussia, with the Austrian Empire, Barvaria and Hanover. Of course, Prussia and Austrians were where the initial story of Germany started.
We see were the start of German history was modest enough. Prussia, Austria, the Great War and the disasterous Treaty of Versailles, the Weimar republic, Hitler, anti-semitism and the rise of Nazi Germany.
It IS a great survey of the history of Germany through to present day. I did not find it boring, hopefully you will enjoy this book as much as I.
June 9, 2021
This is a very clear explanation of how Germany became a country in 1871. I particularly enjoyed the thumbnail sketches of the important figures because understanding the person helps understand their actions (or lack thereof). We often hear that WWI occurred because the Archduke was murdered in Sarajevo. However, this book takes more time and explains more facts surrounding the beginning of the war (including the fact that Archduke Franz Ferdinand was very unpopular).
The discussion about the German U-boats was also quite interesting. Looking from today's perspective, the Treaty of Versailles was too hard on the Germans. But this book shows that there were political movements within Germany, as well as huge political changes taking effect in the Ottoman Empire and the Astro-Hungarian Empire, all making movements after the first world war.
The explanation of why some folks are anti-Semitic was also interesting. That prefaced the explanation of what happened to the Jews in Germany and why people weren't willing to take a stand (the punishment could be the same as for the Jews, namely, beatings, killing, or being sent to a camp). The admission that the eradication of the Jews was more important than winning WWII was a startling statement, but the author proved his point. It was also a surprise to hear the litany of others killed in the camps: Roma (formerly called Gypsies), homosexuals, Jehovah's Witnesses, political prisoners, (and the first to die at Auschwitz gas chambers were) Russian prisoners of war.
This is an overview of Germany from the country's inception to its current status. By giving the big picture, it wove together pieces of the puzzle I've read at different times, to create one, unified view of the history of the Germans. Another strength of this very fine work is telling the 'why' of things. This book was so enjoyable; it wasn't a recitation of battles, it was an explanation of how and why things happened.
The discussion about the German U-boats was also quite interesting. Looking from today's perspective, the Treaty of Versailles was too hard on the Germans. But this book shows that there were political movements within Germany, as well as huge political changes taking effect in the Ottoman Empire and the Astro-Hungarian Empire, all making movements after the first world war.
The explanation of why some folks are anti-Semitic was also interesting. That prefaced the explanation of what happened to the Jews in Germany and why people weren't willing to take a stand (the punishment could be the same as for the Jews, namely, beatings, killing, or being sent to a camp). The admission that the eradication of the Jews was more important than winning WWII was a startling statement, but the author proved his point. It was also a surprise to hear the litany of others killed in the camps: Roma (formerly called Gypsies), homosexuals, Jehovah's Witnesses, political prisoners, (and the first to die at Auschwitz gas chambers were) Russian prisoners of war.
This is an overview of Germany from the country's inception to its current status. By giving the big picture, it wove together pieces of the puzzle I've read at different times, to create one, unified view of the history of the Germans. Another strength of this very fine work is telling the 'why' of things. This book was so enjoyable; it wasn't a recitation of battles, it was an explanation of how and why things happened.
June 9, 2021
What an interesting history
From Persia to Victoria son Wilhelm taking the lead to the treaty of Versailles Hitler to modern day Germany it just got more and more interesting. There are so many reasons to love captivating history books and this is just one of them. I can’t get enough I’m just obsessed. The history of Germany is a captivating history book I definitely recommend.
From Persia to Victoria son Wilhelm taking the lead to the treaty of Versailles Hitler to modern day Germany it just got more and more interesting. There are so many reasons to love captivating history books and this is just one of them. I can’t get enough I’m just obsessed. The history of Germany is a captivating history book I definitely recommend.
June 17, 2021
Another great read! Even though it was not a topic that I would usually get into. This text still managed to keep my interest. I mostly enjoyed the pictures which gave me a better understanding and insight into what I was reading.
April 29, 2024
a really good overview of German history
The right amount of detail and background to familiarise yourself with history of Germany. Second captivating history book I have read, and intend to read more
The right amount of detail and background to familiarise yourself with history of Germany. Second captivating history book I have read, and intend to read more
May 4, 2025
Most people don't understand that the modern Germany effectively didn't exist until the early to middle 1800s. This is an excellent summary of the events, people, economics and wars that have created the modern Germany.
April 11, 2022
Quick little history of modern Germany. An excellent starting point for further reading on my part.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews