The History of Europe (Hardcover)

by J. M. Roberts (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review
J. M. Roberts, author of a fine one-volume history of the world, offers a careful synthesis of European history from the Stone Age to the collapse of Communism in A History of Europe. His discussion is never very deep, as might be expected in a book that treats the whole of ancient Greek history in a mere 20 pages, but it is astonishingly broad. Roberts hits on almost all of the important points, especially the formation of trade networks, empires, and central governments. Literate and learned, A History of Europe is marred by a lack of notes and bibliography, but it is still serviceable as a survey text.

From Kirkus Reviews
A good narrative historian must know what to leave out, and few are as discriminating as Roberts (History of the World, not reviewed, etc.). In a relatively short span he offers, in a measured, nicely resonant prose, a survey of the succession of cultures from which modern Europe has emerged, stressing the wider implications and influences of events over local history, and concentrating on the evolution of thought and society rather than on a recitation of political and military strategies. What emerges is a coherent portrait of the forces that have shaped the continent and given it a distinctive identity, as well as the dominant ideas of mass democracies and the unique value of the individual. A lucid, convincing introductory guide, certainly the best such summation currently available. A good narrative historian must know what to leave out, and few are as discriminating as Roberts (History of the World, not reviewed, etc.). In a relatively short span he offers, in a measured, nicely resonant prose, a survey of the succession of cultures from which modern Europe has emerged, stressing the wider implications and influences of events over local history, and concentrating on the evolution of thought and society rather than on a recitation of political and military strategies. What emerges is a coherent portrait of the forces that have shaped the continent and given it a distinctive identity, as well as the dominant ideas of mass democracies and the unique value of the individual. A lucid, convincing introductory guide, certainly the best such summation currentl -- Copyright ©1997, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 628 pages
• Publisher: Viking Adult (December 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0713992042
• ISBN-13: 978-0713992045
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.4 x 2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #267,659 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

48 of 48 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A distinguished historian's insightful view of Europe, December 3, 1998

By A Customer

Once again, J.M. Roberts tackles a large historical subject; first, he wrote an excellent history of the world, and now, he has written a history of Europe that is as good, if not better.

Roberts exhibits a remarkable gift for conciseness and generously shares what seems to be vast insight on the history of Europe. Other histories would be very detailed but Roberts is able to capture the same subtleties with fewer (brilliantly chosen) words and ideas. He quotes some rather obscure but fascinating sources; you feel as if you are in the company of an eminent old historian who has been studying this subject all his life, has read just about everything there is to read on the subject, possesses no illusions or pretentions (he's too old for B.S.), and picks out those few gems of his knowledge that almost no one else knows just to share with you. Roberts really tries to tell it like it is (or was) without mincing words.

The author also goes to a great deal of effort to convey the feel of different periods so that the reader may better understand how historical events were perceived at the time and how they led to subsequent events. True history is not a mere chronicle of events but also the interpretation of those events, then and now. Roberts is keenly aware of this.

I have read both Roberts' book and Norman Davies' "Europe: A History"; both are superb but in different ways. Davies' book is larger and more detailed, and seems to prefer to let the large volume of facts and quoted sources speak for themselves. Roberts seems to prefer a greater emphasis on interpretation and broad insight, something that only a historian of his stature could respectably do. Both are perfectly acceptable methods of writing history. If you want a good reference, pick Davies' book, but for additional explanation of why Europe is the way it is, Roberts' book is highly recommended.

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Friendly Giant, April 11, 2000

By	"jzk" (Lindenhurst, NY) - See all my reviews

While this whopper of a text admittedly took two years for me to read(off and on), I found it to be splendid, informative, cogent, and lively. Unafraid to take the time to spend a page and a half here and there on relevant non-European issues, it is a global account of the region that most shaped world history, for better or worse. The book is never didactic, taking positions on a variety of controversial issues without fervor, examining all sides of each particular debate. It is quite amazing how Roberts can condense and simplify, without any reductionist gimmicks. This is certainly not Europe for Dummies. For me, it was most compelling during the two World Wars, for through these climactic events, the true "story" of Europe emerges, though pretty it is not. This enjoyable work should please both the history buff and the casual reader as a delightfully complete sampler of all the major European events , since, well, the beginning of time, up to the present.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Exceptional coverage of European History, March 16, 1998

By A Customer

Roberts is clearly a brilliant historian. He works in much the same manner as a master painter. His History of Europe opens with a near empty canvas; he gives us a strong sense of Europe before the first human foot fell upon it. This opening conveys more than simple geographical and geological facts; it conveys a sense of how the terrain and climate would ultimately sustain life. Through this device, the reader can derive a feeling of premonition, a sense of history yet to come.

What follows is extraordinary. Roberts' coverage of the subject becomes ever more focused, from the very amorphous dawn of European civilization to highlights of individual societies. These are first examined separately and then in parallel, giving the reader a constant and realistically uneven emergence of a modern Europe.

In today's world, where truly exceptional literature and research are rare, Roberts' work is a welcome arrival. It can only be compared to historical works of antiquity or, in more modern eras, the works of Will and Ariel Durant. This is evident in the way that Roberts interweaves the daily life of the average European with major, historical events. In this way, he conveys a vivid picture of Europe and its peoples.

I cannot recommend this book more. Roberts has earned himself a place amongst the likes of Suetonius, Alexis De Tocqueville, and the Durants. His style is both wide in scope and captivating.