Germany 1866-1945 (Oxford History of Modern Europe) [Paperback]

Gordon A. Craig (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 6, 1980 | ISBN-10: 0195027248 | ISBN-13: 978-0195027242

This is the history of the rise and fall of united Germany, which lasted only 75 years from its establishment by Bismark in 1870, and ended in the rubble of Hitler's regime. Gordon Craig not only analyses the political structures of and the foreign, social, and economic policies of successive governments, but also examines the individuals who dominated the period and the important intellectual and cultural influences at work. His fascinating chapter on the rich diversity of Weimar culture - Mann and Hesse, Marlene Deitrich and film, Brecht, Schonberg, Expressionist art, and the growth of psychoanalytic theory - is proof enough that this is not an ordinary history book.

--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"An excellent text--indispensable."--James M. Bruphy, University of Delaware

"All-encompassing for the period."--David R. Stevenson, University of Nebraska, Kearney

"The best book of its kind, period."--Richard R. Laurence, Michigan State University

"Excellent book, enjoyable to read, stimulating to students."--Andrew R. Carlson, Western Michigan University

"Absolutely superb....By far the best book on modern Germany in any language and an excellent starting-point for further reading....Ideal for more advanced students."--Herman Beck, University of Miami

About the Author

Gordon A. Craig is at Stanford University (Emeritus).

Product Details

• Paperback: 848 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA (March 6, 1980)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0195027248
• ISBN-13: 978-0195027242
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.4 x 1.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #409,211 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Magisterial, January 19, 2004

By 

A. Lowry (Madison, MS United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Germany 1866-1945 (Oxford History of Modern Europe) (Paperback)

Craig assumes basic literacy in the overall history of Europe in the period he covers; this is not a good First Book of Modern Germany. But his coverage and analysis are first-rate. He covers foreign and domestic policy, as you'd expect, but also the culture of Germany before and after the Great War (tho with an understandable leaning to political implications).

Craig sees a continuity in German ends, if not means, from Bismarck through to Hitler, and is withering in his criticisms of the German passion for "pounding the table" as a substitute for politics or, indeed, thought. His book doesn't completely explain the mystery of how the Germans could follow Hitler, but it made that clearer for me than it was before I read it. As we might expect of a professor, his analysis of German academic culture & its subservience to authority is especially good.

3 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Disordered but interesting, December 3, 2003

By 

VASILIADIS Panagiotis (Switzerland) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Germany 1866-1945 (Oxford History of Modern Europe) (Paperback)

It provides a well organised overview of the period, though it "jumbs" to different eventsand people without keepinga coherent flow.