The Shortest History of Europe

READ IN A DAY. REMEMBER FOR A LIFETIME. In this short, entertaining and thought-provoking book, historian John Hirst investigates the qualities that have made Europe a world-changing civilisation. From the ancient Greeks to the present day, from the Industrial Revolution to the world wars and postwar period, Hirst explores in detail what makes Europe unique: its political evolution; the shaping influence of its linguistic boundaries; the crucial role played by power struggles between Pope and Emperor; and of course the great invasions and conquests that have transformed the continent. Written with clarity, feeling and wit, The Shortest History of Europe is a tour-de-force. Read in a day, it will be remembered for a lifetime.